Elizabeth Patricia Winblad

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Winblad, Elizabeth Patricia "Patty" was born March 17, 1926 in Red Wing, Minnesota. She passed away on February 17, 2013 at the age of 86 in the loving care of the staff at the Lodge on Summit Oaks and the embrace of her family. Patty bravely battled the effects of Lewey Body dementia during the past six years. It was a precious gift that she still knew every member of her family until death. Her husband, Wilbur "Soup" Winblad, preceded her in death on October 18, 2009. She missed him greatly during the past three years and four months, but her faith gave her great comfort, and she looked forward to seeing her "Soup" again. Patty was the youngest of eight children born to Adolph and Elizabeth (Risse) Stark. She spent her childhood and young adulthood in Red Wing. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Lawrence (Hazel), Fritz, and Henry "Bud" (Mert), and sisters, Cecelia (Rod) and Dorothy (Ed). Patty graduated from Red Wing High School in 1944. She studied nursing at St. John's Hospital in Red Wing and received her registered nursing degree in 1947. Patty was member of the United States Cadet Nursing Corps during WWII, which qualified her to serve in local hospitals should more senior nurses be called to serve at the front lines. In 1948, she did post graduate work in Obstetrical Nursing at the University of Chicago Lying-In Hospital. After the war, she met her future husband, Soup Winblad, who played college ball with her brother, Bob. They were married on December 27, 1949 and together had six children that were the center of her world. Patty worked at home for many years, but returned to professional life in 1967 at Sanford Memorial Hospital in Farmington, Minnesota. Patty started work in the emergency room and went on to become head nurse of the Obstetrics Department. There, she implemented the Family Centered Maternity Nursing Concept and taught expectant parent classes, helping more than 300 couples through the labor and delivery process. She was also on the advisory board at the Dakota County Vocational School, and helped improve its Licensed Practical Nursing program. Patty is survived by her six children, Ann Winblad, Mary (Jim) Regenscheid, Susan (Denny) Shields, David (Diane) Winblad, Patty (Brett) Jorgensen, and Kathy Winblad-Polk; five grandchildren, Jamie (Jonathan) Bruemmer, Christopher (Alyssa) Shields, Nathan (Heather) Winblad, Bryce (Katie) Winblad and Jarvas Polk; three great grandchildren, Jacob & Joie Bruemmer and Anthony Winblad. She is also survived by siblings, Bertha Santelman (Clarence) of Red Wing, MN and Robert Stark (Mary Ann) of Caladonia, MN and many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 AM Thursday, February 21, 2013 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 4030 Pilot Knob Rd., Eagan, MN with a visitation 1 hour prior to Mass at Church. Interment, Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be donated to Patty's favorite charities. White Funeral Home Farmington 651-463-7374 whitefuneralhomes.com

Published on February 19, 2013