Winifred McGuire

Winifred McGuire

Winifred "Winnie" McGuire lived life to the fullest for all of her 90 years. She peacefully passed away after a brief illness, surrounded by her family in her home Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021, in La Crosse.

Winnie was born April 16, 1930, to Hamden and Mary (Gallagher) Corey, in Winona, Minn. She grew up on the Corey farm in Houston, Minn. She was the baby of the family with two older brothers and twin older sisters. She had many tales to talk about growing up on the farm, such as climbing up on the barn roof when her parents went to town. She had a pony named Perry and her love of all animals was endless. She graduated from Houston High School, then graduated from the St. Francis School of Nursing, as a registered nurse. She worked at St. Francis Hospital on many different units, but felt most comfortable working in the ICU.

After graduating from nursing school, she married the love of her life, Eugene McGuire, Oct. 7, 1950. They made La Crosse their home. They belonged to St. James Parish and were very active in parish activities. Winnie loved to be in the kitchen and could be found there volunteering for funeral luncheons, the Holly Berry Fair Bazaar, and helping the school lunch ladies. Her special Christmas present to everyone this year was her own cookbook, filled with all of her favorite recipes.

As a registered nurse she was loved by her patients and colleagues. She was a nurse who could go anywhere she was needed throughout the hospital and be outstanding. She retired in 1993, from her position at St. Francis, but never from nursing. She continued to care for others, helping families and friends stay healthy, recover, heal, and sometimes to pass in peace. She was an angel to many.

She was a faith filled, strong woman, who survived breast cancer at the early age of 43, when treatments and outcomes were less predictable. She used that experience to help many other women through the Reach to Recovery Program and always participated in Stepping Out in Pink and Relay for Life.

Her faith and family were the center of her life. Her devout prayer life also encouraged and sustained others in times of stress, illness, anxiety or loss. She loved to vacation with family to warm sunny places in winter and to the lakes of Minnesota, in the summer. A trip throughout Ireland for her 80th birthday left Ireland exhausted. She continued to para-sail, jet ski, paddle board, and tube, well into her 80s as well. Euchre was her card game of choice, but she could and would play any game. Time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her the greatest joy and even just looking at their pictures would light up her face.

She was a strong example of faith in action and unconditional love for all who knew her, but especially for her children. They felt bountifully blessed to have her for a mother and role model.

Winnie is survived by her children, Rosemary (Bradley Refsland) McGuire, Jeff (Mary Pat) McGuire, Pat (Kerry) McGuire, and Julie (Mike) Marthaler; her grandchildren, Dawn (Shawn) O'Brien, Stacey (Robert) Sargent, Eric (Andrea) Christopherson, Justin McGuire, Brenna (Jesse) Beckendorf, Katelyn Kesser, Jessalyn (Tolga Turhan) McGuire, Corey (Tyler Mattie) Marthaler, and Collin Marthaler; great- grandchildren, Olivia and Oliver Christopherson, Seamus, Moira, and Saoirse O'Brien, Declan and Kennedy Kesser, Ruby Sargent, Sloane Beckendorf, and baby Mattie; a sister-in-law, Jeanne McGuire, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene McGuire; her parents, Hamden and Mary Corey; sisters, Patricia Coulson and Joanne Przybylski; brothers, Gene and Jerry Corey; and special son, Richard Masrud.

Due to COVID-19, a private family funeral will take place Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Mary, Mother of Church, and will be lived streamed at 11 a.m. Winnie wanted everyone to stay safe. The live stream will be available on the church website at mmoclacrosse.org and will also be available for replay Wednesday, Jan. 13. Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family. Online condolences may be submitted at www.schumacher-kish.com.

The family would like to extend appreciation to the staff throughout Gundersen Health System for their expert, kind, and compassionate care, and to Fr. Konopa and Monsignor Scheckel for their precious visits.