Nona G. Wintersteen

Nona Ginn Wintersteen, 87, of Indianapolis, went to be with her Lord on November 2, 2008. She was born May 16, 1921 to the late Thomas and Hazel (Hainsworth) Ginn in Guckeen, MN. Her family lost everything in the depression and moved to Wellington, KS to live in an Aunt's farmhouse. Her "job" at home included handing her Mom quilt pieces to make quilt tops to sell during the depression. Nona's favorite memories include riding to school in the winter in a sleigh with a heated brick for her feet. She graduated from Dennis (KS) High School, and received her teaching certificate from Parsons (KS) Junior College. Her first job was in a rural one room school house. On her first day at work, a student broke his arm and she sought help at a neighboring farm house. During WWII she worked at International Harvester in Wichita, KS (under the watchful eye of her two maiden aunts). After WWII she married Elmo Wintersteen on February 13, 1946. He preceded her in death in 1998. Nona spent many years volunteering at church, in extension, scouting, and tutoring adults. She was an excellent seamstress and made all her family's clothes. Later in life she became a quilter. After retirement she enjoyed being an exercise leader and a member of the Hummingbird Stitchers in Sierra Vista, AZ. Her other memberships include the First United Methodist Church in Crawfordsville, IN, United Methodist Women and a thrift shop volunteer. She is survived by three daughters, Wanda (Charlie) Hopper of Avon,IN, Wilma Jean (James) Bryant of Jefferson City, MO and Wendy Wintersteen and her husband Robert Waggoner of Ames, IA; a brother, Donald Ginn of Parsons, KS; a brother-in-law Clarence Kelly of Littleton, CO; a sister, Olive Olson of Sun City, AZ; four grandchildren, Caroline Graham of St Louis, MO, Molly Graham of Jefferson City, MO, George (Christy) Hopper of Muncie, IN and Jeff Hopper of Avon, IN; and four great grandchildren, Tressie and Mason Hopper of Muncie, Jacklynn and J.J. Hopper of Plainfield, IN. Mom spent may happy hours writing and talking to her many nieces and nephews and was so proud of them. Besides her husband Elmo, she was also preceded in death by her sisters Carol, Elsie, Deanne, Maxine and Neva, and a brother Harold Ginn. A memorial celebration will be held at the Plainfield (IN) United Methodist Church on Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 3:00 pm. A private burial ceremonty will be held at Ft. Smith, KS at a later date. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Crawfordsville or to the Arthritist Foundation. Arrangements by Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield.