Elsie M. Winter

GALVA – Elsie Marie Winter, 88, of Galva, formerly of Annawan and LaFayette, died at 2:45 p.m., Wednesday, May 15, 2019 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center in Galesburg. Elsie was born June 11, 1930 in Annawan, the daughter of August and Emma (DeVrieze) Powell. She married Irvin K. Winter on November 22, 1958 in LaFayette.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 21 at Galva Cemetery. The Very Rev. Jerry Rafalko will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the Galva Fire Department or to the Galva American Legion. Rux Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Elsie attended Moon Grade School and Annawan High School, graduating in 1948 as Salutatorian of her class. During high school, she represented Annawan at Illinois Girls State. After graduation, she worked at Annawan High School for two years, then worked for the Illinois Power Company for 10 years until the birth of her first daughter. Elsie stayed at home to raise her family, helping at LaFayette School in the cafeteria as needed and waitressing on weekends at Fraker’s Grove Tavern in LaFayette when her girls were teenagers. Along with her husband, she was involved with organizing and working numerous chicken dinner fundraisers for the LaFayette American Legion. Elsie thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with everyone, especially about her family. She kept up-to-date on all her family members, nieces and nephews and always knew when someone was having a birthday or anniversary. She loved to watch the Chicago Cubs, as well as the Chicago Bears and NASCAR.

Elsie is survived by her husband of 60 years, three daughters; Debbie (Ed) Johnson of Kewanee, Jane (Dave) Riggs of Sheffield and Donna (Mike) Nigh of Port Orange, FL, five grandchildren; Amber (Ryan) Biggs of Peoria, Heather Riggs and fiancé, Adam Wold of Chicago, Steven Johnson of Metamora, Michelle Johnson Nashville, TN and Dakota Nigh of Port Orange, FL and a great grandchild on the way, a sister, Margaret Coppejans of Annawan and many sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Virgil Powell and Howard Powell in infancy and two sisters, Catherine Powell and Grace Taets.

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