Wingert, Helen (1914-2010)
WINGERT, CINK, CHIHA, STEFFENS, JOHNSON
Posted By: Paul Nagy, volunteer (email)
Date: 11/9/2010 at 22:46:44
Helen Wingert
(March 13, 1914 - November 2, 2010)Helen A. Wingert, age 96 of Estherville, Iowa, formerly of Buffalo Center, Iowa, died Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at Avera Holy Family Health in Estherville.
A true life-long country-girl, Helen Wingert was born near Wesley, Iowa, on March 13, 1914, to George and Anna (Chiha) Cink. Living on a farm with her brothers and sisters, Helen Agnes Cink was taught how to milk cows by hand, care for the family's huge garden, and can and cook.
Helen attended school in Wesley and obtained a teaching degree that enabled her to teach in a country school nearby. Helen loved to play the piano and organ, and this love of music continued throughout her life.
At a dance one night, this country-school teacher met a young farmer by the name of Louis Raymond Wingert. After a proper courtship, they were married on June 7, 1937, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Wesley, IA.
As was the custom during the 1930’s, many farmers kept a herd of dairy cows and milked the cows morning and night by hand. Red and Helen loved to go to the barn twice daily, sit on small stools and milk their cows.
When their first-born entered their world on April 1, 1938, their lives changed a bit, and Red took over most of the milking chores. Charles David Wingert (Chuck) was their first-born and only child until Donald L. Wingert entered their world on January 18, 1940.
Helen and Red lived on their farm for many years. Helen taught catechism, and they attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Buffalo Center. Red and Helen loved farm life and loved visiting the relatives or entertaining the relatives who visited them on their farm.
No matter when visitors stopped to see Red and Helen, they would be treated to a true “home-cooked” meal! Helen’s homemade bread and rolls were absolutely delicious, and she made the most delicious home-made apple pies “from scratch”. Visitors and friends alike looked forward to those wonderful “home-cooking” aromas whenever they were invited to Red and Helen’s home!
Helen and Red thoroughly enjoyed spoiling their grandkids! Chuck and Marilyn had six boys (Tom, Jim, Dan, Jon, Joe, and Sam) and one girl (Patty Wingert Steffens).
For many years Red and Helen continued farming. Suddenly one day near the N.W. corner of their farm, Red had an unexpected heart attack and died on May 11, 1972. Helen continued living on the farm for almost 34 years by herself until the summer of 2006 when she fell. Nobody knows why she forgot to press the medic alert button, so for 40 hours she was unattended. This incident marked the start of the decline in her health. She spent the next four years in a nursing home until she died at the age of 96.
All of her friends and relatives have fond memories of Helen during her “earlier years.” The Helen most of us knew and loved is the Helen who was an excellent cook; the Helen who drove her own car until she was well into her 90’s; and the Helen who mowed her own lawn until she was 92! We know that Helen is enjoying her “Family Reunion in Heaven” with her parents and other relatives, and especially with her husband Red!! Thank you, Helen, for loving all of us, and we know you will continue to pray for all of your relatives and friends who are still here on Earth… We will miss you, but you have earned your “Heavenly Reward.”
Helen Wingert is survived by her two sons: Charles Wingert (Marilyn) of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Donald Wingert, of Los Angeles, California; her six grandchildren: Jim Wingert (Rhonda) of Rugby, North Dakota, Dan Wingert (Pam) of Lake Park, Iowa, Jon Wingert, and his fiancee, Laurie, of Estherville, Iowa, Joe Wingert (Brenda), of Lakefield, Minnesota, Sam Wingert and his special friend Beth of Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Patty Steffens (Tom), of Spirit Lake, Iowa; seventeen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Louis Cink (Mary), of Wesley, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis, in 1972; her father, George, in 1961; her mother, Anna, in 1966; and a grandson, Tom, in 1993.
A Mass of Christina Burial will celebrated on Saturday, November 6, 2010, at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Buffalo Center, Iowa, with Father Dennis Miller and Helen's nephew Father Tim Johnson officiating. Inurnment will follow at Graceland Cemetery in Buffalo Center, Iowa, at a later date.
Visitation will be Friday, November 5, 2010, at the Winter Funeral Home in Buffalo Center, Iowa, from 4 to 6 PM. A scripture service will be held at 5:30 PM followed by the Recitation of the Rosary.
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