S. Darlene Winship

Monday, November 28, 2022 3:03 pm

S. Darlene Winship, 90, of Albert Lea, Minn., passed away peacefully Nov. 16, 2022, at her home surrounded by family. 

Darlene was born April 12, 1932, in Prairie City, Iowa, to Irma and Carl Nordschow. Darlene attended school in Decorah until her senior year when she moved to Albert Lea and graduated in 1950. She was married to Donald Winship from 1954-1966. She held an assortment of jobs in the Albert Lea area until 1969 when she returned to Decorah to raise her family. She moved to Albert Lea in 1980 and was employed by Freeborn County Human Services when she retired in 1995. She remarried Donald Winship on Jan. 4, 1991. She held a lifetime membership to the Naeve Hospital Auxiliary where she volunteered as treasurer, worked in the gift shop and the coffee kiosk. She enjoyed playing 500, Bridge, collecting recipes, stamping and making homemade cards. She joined the Elks Does in the 1950s and Eagles 1991.

Darlene is survived by her three children: Frank Winship (Kathy Smith), Cheryl Nielsen (Rodney) and Lori Hagert (Mike Gilmore); five grandchildren: Shaina Rutherford (Chad), Cody Nielsen (Crystal Farris) and Benjamin Winship, Nathan and Matthew Gilmore; and great-grandchildren: Gavin and Ayson Ridge Rutherford and Bryar Nielsen. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald in 2008; brother, Carleton Nordschow; and sister-in-law, Barbara Nordschow.

A celebration of life for friends and family will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, at her daughter’s residence (74335 180th Street, Albert Lea, MN) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A graveside service will be held at a later date. Darlene’s wish was met as she was accepted into the Body Donation Program at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Her family expresses their thanks and gratitude to the caregivers at St. Croix Hospice, Embrace Home Health and to other family and friends for their love and kindness provided to Darlene