Marie Christine Winther

Marie Christine Winther, the daughter of Christian and Anna Johanna Jensen Berg, was born June 25, 1915, in Audubon, Iowa and died July 5, 2009, at the Friendship Home in Audubon at the age of 94 years and 10 days.
Marie was baptized and confirmed at the Danish Lutheran Church in Audubon. She attended Audubon Community Schools, graduating with the High School Class of 1933. She then was employed as a telephone operator for Northwestern Bell.
On November 14, 1934, she was united in marriage to Alfred Winther at Our Saviours Lutheran Church Parsonage in Audubon. Marie was a homemaker and helped Alfred operate the farm. They lived on a farm in Douglas Township for 7 years, then moved to and operated the home farm. In 1965 they built Winthers Pond which was stocked with fish and they allowed the entire community to use. They moved into Audubon in 1970. Alfred and Marie enjoyed traveling both nationally and internationally. They also spent their winters in Fort Myers Beach, Florida and later Weslaco, Texas. Alfred died July 3, 1997. Marie enjoyed her home, then moved to the Friendship Home in January of 2006.
Marie was a member of Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Audubon. She was a member of a neighborhood Club ODO, was a 4-H leader (The Douglas Daughters) and was a member of the Audubon County Farm Bureau Women.
Marie loved to play cards, especially Canasta and was a member of a card club. She enjoyed crocheting and making afghans, doilies, and pillows. She also was an avid reader.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband were her daughter Janice Swesey; her great-grandson Zachary Neitzel; one brother, two half-brothers, and two half-sisters.
Survivors include her daughters: Mary Kay and Marlin Lewis; Linda and Charles Kauffman; Joanne and Gary Bald, all of Audubon, IA and Deanna Kauffman of Estherville, IA; her grandchildren: Krista and Brentt Snow of Lineville, IA; Jim and Shari Lewis and Bob and Joyce Lewis, all of Audubon; Steve Lewis of Clio, IA; Mike and Marla Swesey of Iowa City, IA; Patty Cran of Grinnell, IA; LeAnn and Dennis Cortestio of Centerville, IA; Jennifer Neitzel of Carroll, IA; Laurel and Randy Steig of West Des Moines, IA; Chris and Rachel Kauffman of El Paso, TX; Sara and Tom Paulsen of Exira, IA; Nick and Heather Kauffman of Adair, IA; Dan Bald; Angie Nielsen, both of Audubon; Jeff and Diane Bald of Sioux City, IA; Erik Madsen of Redfield, IA; Matt and Jenny Madsen of Ankeny, IA; Mandy and Todd Fine of Spirit Lake, IA; Megan and Jeremy Anderson of Estherville; Carrie and Andy Haas of Yankton, SD; 42 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; her sister Elsie Hansen of Audubon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon.

Visitation:
The family will meet friends Tuesday evening at 7:00 at Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Christopher Martin on Wednesday, July 8, 2009, at 10:30 A.M. at Our Saviours Lutheran Church in Audubon.