Agnes Winger

Agnes L. “Aggie” Winger, age 86, of Decorah, Iowa, died Friday, August 29, 2014 at Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah.

Funeral Services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5, 2014 at Decorah Lutheran Church with Rev. Bryan Robertson and Rev. David Sorensen officiating. 

Burial followed at Washington Prairie Lutheran Cemetery in rural Decorah. 

  Fjelstul Funeral Home in Decorah helped the family with arrangements.

Agnes Lillian “Aggie” Winger was born March 20, 1928, in Glenwood Township, rural Decorah, Iowa, the daughter of Hans and Marie (Nelson) Aschim.  She was baptized and confirmed at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church in rural Decorah.  Aggie attended Decorah High School and graduated in 1945.  After graduation, she moved to Minneapolis, MN, lived with her sister Lucy, and worked for the Chamber of Commerce.  She returned to Decorah and worked at Northwestern Bell.

  Aggie was united in marriage to Orville C. Winger at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church by the Rev. Oscar Ingebretson on June 27, 1948. To this union, three daughters were born: Linda, Mary and Beth.

  After the birth of her first child, she became a homemaker and filled in at the telephone office when needed.  The family moved to Ossian, IA in 1951 where Orville was employed at the Ossian State Bank. 

  Aggie re-entered the workforce as secretary of the South Winneshiek School District in the fall of 1969 and worked there until her retirement.   Orville and Aggie moved back to Decorah in 1996.  Orville passed away in November 7, 1998 after a lengthy illness.   Aggie was a devoted care giver for the last year of his life. 

  She enjoyed an active, fun loving life with family and friends.  She and her husband activities included traveling, golfing, playing cards, sporting events, dancing, and community involvement.   A highlight of her life was their trip to Norway when Aggie was able to meet her first cousins.

   Aggie volunteered at the Ossian Public Library, Norwegian American Museum, Winneshiek Medical Center, Decorah Public Library, and many church activities at both Ossian Lutheran Church and Decorah Lutheran Church.  Aggie had a love for life and enjoyed being with friends and families.  She mothered many people and visitors never went home hungry.

  Throughout her life, Aggie’s faith was her rock.  Her spiritual faith carried her through her struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

  Aggie is survived by her three daughters: Linda Daubenmier of Waukesha, WI, Mary Winger of Minneapolis, MN and Beth (Todd) McDonough of Decorah, IA; five granddaughters: Heather (John) Mickol, Alison (Ryan) Hunter, and Megan, Molly and Maria McDonough; three great-grandchildren: Alissa and Aidan Mickol and Landon Hunter; a brother, Karl (Sylvia) Aschim of Decorah; a sister-in-law, Ann Aschim of Decorah; and a brother-in-law, Lyle Sacquitne of Decorah. Other survivors include several nieces and nephews.

  Aggie was preceded in death by her parents, Hans and Marie Aschim; her husband Orville Winger; brothers Albert, Henry, Lester, and Harold; and sisters Thelma Dresselhaus, Anna Olson, Palma Zidlicky, and Lucille Sacquitne.