Ruth M. Winter

Ruth M. Winter, 88, formerly of Algona, died Tuesday morning at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Ruth Maxine Winter, a loving wife, mother and grandmother, entered eternal life on Tuesday, August 16, 2016. She was 88 years old, and still had a feisty spark in her until the end. We celebrate the long, love-filled life of this woman who has inspired us with her spirit, cared for us all of these years, and delighted us with her never-ending humor. Born June 1, 1928, in Storm Lake, Iowa, Ruth was the daughter of Albert and Matilda (Halder) Forsberg. After graduating from St. Cecelia's Academy in Algona, IA, she became united in marriage with her lifelong soul mate, Robert Winter, on November 17, 1948, at St. Cecelia's Catholic Church. The two proceeded to call Algona their home for the next 38 years, where they raised their eight beautiful children. Ruth was a homemaker, and when she and Robert moved to San Antonio, Texas in 1986, Ruth continued caring for children through her work at the Little Red Caboose daycare. Ruth and Robert eventually moved back to Iowa, where they resided in West Des Moines and could be close to family. They became members of St. Francis of Assisi Cath...[more]

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c Church and celebrated 61 years of marriage before Robert entered into eternal life at the age of 81. Ruth embraced a vivacious life, filled with crossword puzzles, traveling, sewing, painting, and, of course, the San Antonio Spurs. Surrounded by her loving family, Ruth spent her last days in hospice care at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines, Iowa, a place that was close to her heart since her late husband Robert had passed away there. She is preceded in death by her husband and two parents; two brothers, Howard and Virgil; and two sisters, Caletta and June. Ruth's spirit lives on through her eight children, Marsha and Thomas Tubbs of Ham Lake, MN; Diane Murphy of Mason City, IA; Bill Winter of Mesquite, TX; Cynthia and John Dybsky of Downers Grove, IL; Deborah and John Besch of Oakdale, MN; Bruce and Heidi Winter of Lakeville, MN; Steven and Deb Winter of Bettendorf, IA; and Jennifer and Tim Jameson of West Des Moines, IA; eighteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and her canine companion, Muffin. We send her our love as she sets off for her next wonderful adventure and joins her soul mate in eternal life.