Nola Winters

Nola Frances (Ginther) Winters, the second daughter and fourth child of Edward Earl Ginther and Mary Ruby (Mikesell) Ginther, was born on August 27, 1925 on her Grandmother Sarah (Fleming) Mikesell’s homestead near Achilles, Kansas. She passed away at the Good Samaritan in Atwood on January 14, 2019.

Nola spent her infancy on a farm near Achilles and at the age of six moved with her family to Atwood, Kansas. She graduated from Atwood elementary school in 1939 and Atwood Community High School, where she was active in the concert and marching band, as valedictorian in 1943. She attended the University of Kansas at Lawrence from 1943 through 1945 and was named on the Dean’s Honor Roll.

On October 13, 1945, Nola was united in marriage to Jack Victor Winters in the First Methodist Church in Ventura, California, which they joined in 1945. To this union was born one son, David Scott Winters, who died on the day of his birth, June 15, 1948. The marriage ended in divorce in 1954.

She was a secretary for Ventura Tool Company, Tubescope, Inc. and Master Thread Inspections from 1945 to 1953 in Ventura. She moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1953 and was employed in various positions by Holly Sugar Corporation until 1991, retiring as Assistant Corporate Secretary and Director of Corporate and Public Relations after more than 37 years of service. She was a properties manager for Civic Players from 1954 to 1962 and also served on the Board of Directors. She then attended night school at the University of Colorado Extension Service (later University of Colorado in Colorado Springs) from 1962 to 1972 when she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English.

Nola was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants through William and Susanna White and their son, Resolved. She was a charter member of Desk and Derrick International (women in the oil industry) in Ventura; of the Pikes Peak Genealogical Society, Colorado Springs; and the Genealogical Societies of Rawlins County, Kansas, and Sangamon County, Illinois. She was also a member of the Kinnikinnik Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution in Colorado Springs and of the American Legion Sam Hubbard Post #46 Auxiliary in Atwood, Kansas. She was listed in Marquis Who’ Who in America and Who’s Who of American Women.

After building a home in Highland Lakes near Divide, Colorado, in 1981, she served two terms on the Board of Directors as Treasurer of the Highland Lakes Property Owners’ Association and volunteered countless hours of service to the Association.

In September of 2002, Nola and her brother Gordon moved back to Atwood to finally retire. Nola enjoyed her family and friends, genealogical research, classical music, history, walking, gardening and flowers.

She was preceded in death by her infant son; parents; brothers, Gordon, Merle and wife Goldie, Leroy and wife Joyce; sisters Virginia and husband Willard Clapper and Pauline Worthy and husband Lyle. She is survived by many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Baalmann Mortuary, Atwood. Funeral Service is 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 17, 2019, also at the mortuary. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of NWKS or the Atwood Good Samaritan for room upkeep, in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For condolences or information visit www.baalmannmortuary.com