Vera J. Winders

Vera J. Winders, 85, of Waukon, IA, formerly of Lehigh, IA, died Friday, January 28, 2011, at Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Monday, January 31st, at 11:00 AM at Zalmona Presbyterian Church in rural Waukon, with Pastor Tom Buresh officiating. Friends may call from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Sunday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon. Visitation will also be held on Tuesday, February 1st from 12:00 to 1:30 pm at Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton, IA. Following a short service at the funeral home at 1:30, burial will take place at West Lawn Cemetery in Lehigh, IA.

Vera Jeanne Fry was born May 30, 1925 in Callender, IA, the daughter of Jesse and Alma (Peterson) Fry. She graduated from Callender High School. Vera married Donn L. Winders on April 15, 1944 at the Lehigh Methodist Church parsonage in Lehigh, IA. Donn was in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II, and Vera traveled with him to some of his flight training assignments in Oklahoma, Florida, and Virginia before he was stationed overseas. They lived all of their married life in Lehigh.

Vera worked at the Lehigh Telephone office in her early life, and as a cook and office secretary in the Central Webster (Southeast Webster-Grand) School system. She spent over 20 years as secretary to the Superintendent at the high school in Burnside until her retirement.

Vera loved bird-watching, reading, cooking, flower gardening and traveling. She and Donn traveled to South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana often and had several favorite campgrounds. She loved the wildflowers in the mountains. They traveled by bus and airplane with many friends on gambling trips for fun. Vera loved animals, especially dogsin particular her "grand-dogger" Reilly. She enjoyed family times above all else, and after her move to Waukon in 2001, was able to enjoy her grandchildren and their activities, having daily contact and Sunday dinners with Deb and Craig's family. She loved watching her great-grandson crawl and hearing his laugh. They shared a special bond.

She also loved pheasant hunting with Donn, and watching sports of all kinds, golf being a favorite. She and Donn traveled to several Cubs baseball games.

Her strong faith began in the Lutheran Church. She joined the Lehigh Methodist Church when she married Donn, participating in many activities, including choir. She later became a member of the Zalmona Presbyterian Church of rural Waukon. Vera's extremely optimistic attitude and deep faith made her a joy to all around her. She accepted and saw the best in even the most difficult of situations. Her sense of humor and wit were never failing. Vera's great love and devotion for her family have been great sources of strength for her lifetime and her family's, and she will be greatly missed.

Vera is survived by her daughter, Deb (Craig) Phipps of Waukon, IA; a grandson, Josh Phipps and fianc Jamie Corwin and daughter Halea of Decorah, IA; a granddaughter, Katie (Brian) Melcher and great-grandson Roland of Waukon; a sister, Meredith Shupe of Glendale, AZ; and many loving cousins, nieces, and nephews. Vera was blessed with many friends, some life-long and some new, but all dear to her heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Donn (in January 2000); 4 brothers, Hollis, Arvin, Keith "Bud", and Vyron Fry; and 3 sisters, Marjorie Wolfe, Neva Meyer, and Ardis Pogeler.