Helen L. Winter

Helen L. Winter, 96, of Klemme, passed away Tuesday, October 1, 2024, at Concord Care Center in Garner.

A memorial service will be held at the Klemme United Methodist Church and will be announced at a later date. 

Helen Loretta Winter, the daughter of John and Emma (Liethoff) King, was born on January 20, 1928, in Jones County, South Dakota. She graduated from Murdo High School in 1947. On July 3, 1947, she married Merlin C. Winter, Jr. at the United Methodist Church in Murdo. They lived in the train depot in Murdo after their marriage until moving to Ventura, Iowa in 1954 where they owned and operated the Willow Inn Resort. In 1967 the family moved to Garner and later Hull, Iowa and the New Hampton area. In 1986 they made their home in Klemme, where Helen lived until moving to Cardinal Grove Assisted Living and Concord Care Center. Helen was self-sufficient and loved to sew, garden, can food, and crochet. She enjoyed spending time with her family, playing cards, fishing, and bowling.

She was a member of the Klemme United Methodist Church, Garner American Legion Auxiliary, Eastern Star, a homemaker’s club, and in her younger years a bowling league.

Helen is survived by her four children, Pam (Ivan) Barkema of Garner, Steve (Judy) Winter of Garner, Dennis (Missy) Winter of Phoenix, AZ and Roger (Deb) Winter of Garner; nine grandchildren, Jody (Kelly) Korleski, Mike (Marcy) Barkema, Jonathan (Brittany) Winter, Holly (Ryan) Friederich, Jesse (Karen) Winter, Chris Winter, Curtis (Becca) Winter, Ethan Winter and Emily (Corey) Dodd; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; and many nieces and nephews. 

 She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Merlin; and two brothers, Willis (Virginia) King and Donovan (Karen) King.