Florence Winter

Rock Rapids, Iowa

     Florence Winter age 93, of Rock Rapids, Iowa, died Sunday, February 26, 2023, at the Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, Iowa.

     Visitation will be Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM with the family present at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids.

      Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, March 4, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Matt Polsdofer, officiating.  Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids.

     Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids is in charge of services.

     Florence (Wiertzema) Heitritter-Winter was born on February 2, 1930, on a farm in Nobles County, Minnesota, the daughter of George and Luella (Habbena) Wiertzema. She attended country school and helped with the daily chores on the family farm.

     Florence was united in marriage on April 22, 1949, to Duane Heitritter at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church of Rushmore, MN. Early on Florence and Duane were blessed with two children, Doug and Diane and started farming south of George, IA and in 1962 they moved they moved northeast of Rock Rapids, IA, where they farmed until they settled on their acreage on the state boarder, near Ellsworth, MN.  While Duane farmed and raised dairy cattle, Florence maintained the household duties, and always had a big garden. She enjoyed attending country western music and loved to dance. She was always very active with church activities.

     Florence’s husband Duane was diagnosed with cancer, and she lovingly care for him until his death 1996. On December 19, 2000, Florence was remarried to Wallace “Wally” Winter at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, IA. Together they lived in Boyden, IA, until Wally died on April 9, 2007. Shortly after his passing Florence moved to her most recent home in Rock Rapids, IA.

     On December 15, 2020, Florence entered the Lyon Specialty Care in Rock Rapids, IA, where she remained until her death, this past Sunday, February 26, 2023 at the age of 93.

     She is survived by her two children, Doug (Sandi) Heitritter of Rock Rapids, IA and Diane (Kary) Schroeder of Rock Rapids, IA; four step-children, Deb (Ken) Woelber of Hull, IA, Susan (Dennis) Bonestoo of Boyden, IA, Daryl (Kathy) Winter of Shawnee, KS and Mary Beth (Scott) Johnsen of Boyden, IA; along with three grandchildren, Bret (Deb) Heitritter of Rock Rapids, IA, Melissa (Mike)Melcher and Shane Hilbrands; seven great-grandchildren, Halie and Dauson Heitritter and Evelyn, Emma, Maddox, Braxton and Jackson Melcher; and many step-grandchildren; brother, Virgil (Anita) Wiertzema; sisters-in-law, Verna Wiertzema, Nancy Wiertzema, Audrey (Joel) Evers and Sharon (Ray) Antisdol; and many other nieces, nephews and other extended family.

     She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Luella Wiertzema; 1^st husband, Duane K. Heitritter;    2^nd   husband, Wallace “Wally” Winter; sisters, Verona Wiertzema, Rosella Dammer and Delores “Lorie” Weiss; brothers, Herman Wiertzema, Clarence Wiertzema, Orvin Wiertzema and Marvin “Mike” Wierzema.

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