Beverly Arlene (Ellingson) Winther

Beverly Arlene Winther, 86, of Willmar, passed away on Thursday, March 6, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, followed by a celebration of her life from noon until 2:00 p.m. Burial will take place at a later date at Trefoldighed Lutheran Cemetery near Battle Lake. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson & Johnson Funeral Homes (www.hafh.org).

Beverly was born on May 3, 1938, in Doran, Minnesota, to Jorgen and Gertrude “Gertie” (Bertram) Ellingson. She grew up on the farm and was baptized and confirmed at Vukku Lutheran Church. She attended school in Doran through the eighth grade and graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1955.

In 1956, she married Lars Holey, and together they farmed near Battle Lake, raising five children. Following their divorce, Beverly married Harold Winther on June 3, 1966, in Sisseton, South Dakota. Their blended family included Harold’s four children, and they later welcomed two more children together. Over the years, they farmed near Battle Lake, raised turkeys near Underwood, and later moved to turkey farms in Mountain Lake and Spicer. After retiring, Beverly and Harold settled at their home on Deer Lake near Battle Lake. Following Harold’s passing in 2001, Beverly moved to Redwood Falls in 2004 to be closer to family. She had been a resident of Bethesda in Willmar since July 2022.

Beverly was an active member of Trefoldighed Lutheran Church while living in the Battle Lake area. She had a talent for crocheting and was known for her delicious homemade buns. She enjoyed listening to classic country music and cherished traveling with her family, especially her trips to Wisconsin, Branson and Nashville.

She is survived by her nine children: Bruce (Ilene) Winther of Battle Lake, Robert Winther (Robin) of Herman, Bradley (Cindy) Winther of Mission Viejo, CA, Lynn Holey (Carol) of Oshkosh, WI, Darlene (William “Mick”) Michel of Jeffers, Paula Steece of Westbrook, Brenda Nordby of Windom, Martin (Jody) Winther of Belgrade, and Tamara (Jon) Swenson of Willmar; 26 grandchildren; and 51 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Mary Winther of Skull Valley, AZ; her brother, Raymond (Shirley) Ellingson of Doran; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold, in 2001; two sons, Les Winther and Gary Holey; two sons-in-law, Bob Steece and Richard Nordby; two sisters, Darlene Ellingson and Mildred “Millie” Rambo; four grandchildren, Bradley, Ryan, Cody, and McKenna; and a great-grandson, Seth.

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