Erna Winter

Erna Maurine Winter. . .

was born to Ernest G. and Elizabeth M. (Halterman) Corbett on July 9, 1916 at Sheldon, Iowa where she was raised and received her education. After her graduation from Sheldon High School in 1934, she became employed as an operator for Northwestern Bell Telephone Company Sheldon. On October 8, 1938, she was united in marriage to Wilson R. Winter at Lake Andes, South Dakota. Following their marriage, they lived and farmed in the Sheldon area, and Erna continued to work for the telephone company for another year. In March, 1959, they moved to a farm near Jasper, Minnesota where they lived, farmed, and continued to raise their children. In 1972, when they semi-retired from farming, they began spending their winters in Harlingen, Texas and their summers on East Lake Okoboji, Iowa. In the fall of 1992, they moved to Pipestone, Minnesota and lived there until the fall of 1996 when they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Wilson preceded Erna in death on April 25, 1997. After his death, Erna continued to live in Sioux Falls. On December 28, 2010, she became a resident of the Edgebrook Care Center in Edgerton, Minnesota where she died on Friday, April 6, 2012 at the age of 95 years, eight months and 27 days.

Erna was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls. When she was younger, she taught Sunday School and served on various church committees. She enjoyed knitting and made many sweaters, scarves, Baptismal blankets and afghans for her grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing bridge, golfing and dancing.

She is lovingly remembered by her three children, Sheryl Baerenwald and her husband Loren of Jasper, Minnesota, Gary Winter and his wife Judy of Apex, North Carolina, and Maurine Bisson and her husband Peter of Garretson, South Dakota; ten grandchildren, Lisa Houg, Kara Duncan, Joel Baerenwald, Beth Ramm, Doug Winter, Debi Buchanan, Stephanie Winter, Joshua Winter, Chad Bisson and Sara Taubert; and 18 great-grandchildren, Allison Houg, Ryan Houg, Adam Houg, Lauren Houg, Kirsten Houg, Samantha Duncan, Mitchell Duncan, Brett Baerenwald, Rose Baerenwald, Joshua Baerenwald, Logan Ramm, Elizabeth Ramm, Margo Buchanan, Sylvia Buchanan, Wilson Buchanan, Braylon Bisson, Kaela Taubert and Emma Taubert. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson; her son, Steven; her parents; one brother, Elwyn, who died as an infant; and three sisters, Deloris and Maxine, who died as infants, and Helen Corbett.