Ruth Lucille Winter

Ruth Winter, age 91, of Buffalo Center, Iowa, died peacefully on June 22, 2019 at United Hospital in Blue Earth.

Ruth Lucille Winter was born on December 31, 1927, to Thomas and Hertha (Holtz) Hinna in Freedom Township, Waseca County, Minnesota.  She graduated from Waldorf High School in June 1945 and then from Mankato School of Cosmetology in November 1945.  She worked at Beauty Corner, Vanity Beauty Shop and Elvia Shop all in Wells until September 1954. 

Ruth and Andrew Winter were married September 30, 1954, and combined their families including Ruth’s three children, Dennis, Deb, and Darrell, and Andrew’s son, Steven.  Steven died on December 22, 1954.

Ruth was the sole proprietor of the Frost Beauty Nook in Frost, MN, from 1964 until her retirement in 2011, at the of age 84.  She was a longtime member of the First Reformed Church and active in the Lions Club.  Ruth and Andy made frequent trips to Nebraska, Idaho, and Minnesota to visit family and friends, they were always ready for a square dance, and they enjoyed participating in local events in Buffalo Center and the surrounding area.

In her retirement Ruth volunteered at the North Iowa Community School, working with elementary students to enhance their reading skills.  She was also active with the Buffalo Center Historical Society and especially enjoyed helping when the students visited Grant #5 rural schoolhouse.  She enjoyed participating in and watching Bandwagon.  Ruth enjoyed visiting with her friends from church, card club, and her many Frost Beauty Nook clients.   Ruth loved spending time with her family, in particular her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Ruth became a resident of the Timely Mission Nursing Home in 2017.  On June 22, 2019 she was admitted to United Hospital in Blue Earth, where she died.  Special thanks to the exceptional staff and administrators at Timely Mission and the caring staff of United Hospital, each one of whom cared for and cherished Ruth.

Ruth is survived by her children, Dennis and his wife Debbie of Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho; Deb Tolzmann of Estherville; and Darrell Tolzmann of Pemberton, Minnesota; her grandchildren: Amy and her husband Patrick, Mark and his wife Karen, Laura, Andrew, Kelli and her husband Jesse, Jennifer and her husband David, and Cristina; her great-grandchildren: Megan, Everly, Brynn, Tyler, Ethan, Alexis, Jesse, Kendall, Trent, and Max; sisters-in-law Evelyn Winter, Minnie Walker, Carmen Winter and Marjorie Miller; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Andy on December 14, 2007, her stepson Steven, three brothers: John Hinna, Melvin Hinna and Art Frantum; two sisters: Irene Heckes and Margaret Drager; brothers-in-law Edward Winter, John Winter, Lawrence Winter, George Winter, Merle Miller, Merlin Walker, and Erwin Drager; sister-in-law June Winter, and niece Sharon Miller. 

In lieu of flowers, donations are preferred to Timely Mission Nursing Home in memory of Ruth.