Gretchen Winn, 1918 - 2008

My great-grandmother Winn passed away last Wednesday. Just looking at the dates I wrote above makes me realize how much she must have seen. 1918 to 2008. Quite a life.

Like most people, I assume, most of what I remember about my great-grandmother surrounds the holidays. She was a very creative woman and loved to celebrate the holidays with her family, but especially us young grandkids. For Halloween one year she hid our candy all through her house and then tied string to each one. Then she wound the string all over the house in a sort of maze we had to traverse to get our candy. We had so much fun running from room to room and getting our piece of string untangled from the others.

Another tradition was at Christmas time. She wasn't able to get out much (she stopped driving years ago) and wasn't much up on the "new toys" that we kids wanted (you know, stuff like G.I. Joe's and cassette tapes and Atari games). So she would take our Christmas gift, usually just five dollars, and disguise it in someway. One year she took one of those marble puzzles where you have to complete it to get inside. I remember seeing the five dollar bill, but not being able to get to it! The most creative one was when I got a roll of toilet paper as a Christmas gift. I was a little surprised and had to keep smiling because that's what you did when someone got you a gift and I'm sure dad had the video camera taping the whole thing. Finally I realized that she had rolled up one dollar bills in the toilet roll. I've told that story so many times and I still smile. It's always nice to get presents for Christmas (even today!), but great-grandma also made us smile with even the smallest of gifts.

I'll miss you Grandma!

Here is the notice that ran in the Brazil Times:

Gretchen Marie Winn, 89, Brazil, died at 8:35 p.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2008, at St. Vincent Clay Hospital.

Born June 13, 1918, in Clay County, she was the daughter of Daniel and Carrie Bolin Lancett.

She graduated from Brazil High School and began a long career employed at The Brazil Times newspaper where she worked as the advertising manager.

She married Richard E. Winn in 1936. He preceded her in death on Oct. 20, 2007.

She was active in the Clay County Chamber of Commerce and enjoyed crocheting, writing poetry and painting.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Brazil.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard, her parents, four sisters, Ruth Crewes, Margaret Butts, Helen Parson and Vivian Lancaster, and one son-in-law, Walter Wegner.

She is survived by one daughter, Karolyn M. Wegner, and one son, Richard E. Winn, Jr., all of Brazil, grandchildren Cindy Stiffler, Candy Clerk, Dan Wegner and wife Linda, all of Brazil, and Christy Prulhiere and husband Paul, Camby, Cathy Short and husband Shawn, Beaver Creek, Ohio, and Sally Ann Winn, Helena, Mont., great-grandchildren, Troy Stiffler, Indianapolis, Amanda Sebastian, Coal City, Trent, Tressa and Tiara Clerk, all of Brazil, Danny Wegner, Terre Haute, Amos Wegner, Brazil, Natasha Wegner and Aaron Prulhiere, both of Camby, Emily and Hannah Winn, both of Helena, Mont., and Kaylee M. Short, Ohio, and one great-grandson, Brian Sebastian, Coal City.

Moore Funeral Home was chosen to provide cremation services.

Visitation with the family will be 6-7 p.m., Monday, at Moore Funeral Home. A memorial service will be conducted at 7 p.m., Monday, with Rev. Tony Alstott officiating.

Should friends so desire, expression of sympathy may take the form of donations to First United Methodist Church, 201 N. Meridian St., Brazil, 47834.

Visit www.moore-funeral-homes.com to second condolences to the family or for more information.