Corabelle Magdalene Winn

Corabelle Magdalene Winn, age 82, of La Grande, died Thursday, May 1, 2003 at her home.


A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 5, 2003 at 2:00 p.m. at the Grandview Cemetery with The Rev. Vernon Slippy of the Grande Ronde Community Church and Pastor Art Evans of the New Life Center officiating. Friends may call on Monday from 9:00 until 12:00 p.m. at Daniels Chapel of the Valley.


Mrs. Winn was born on August 21, 1920, the daughter of Clyde and Julia (Knapp) Leonard in Kent, Ohio. The family lived in various places before settling in La Grande when she was still in school. On November 2, 1940 she married Deward Winn in Weiser, Idaho. He preceded her in death in 1991.


Mrs. Winn enjoyed camping, fishing and especially long drives because she loved nature and saw beauty in what someone else defined as ugly and dried up. In spite of her extra poundage and rheumatic heart condition, she was active, showing her children how to jump rope, po-go stick and run from the ocean waves. She has left her children numerous remnants of her enthusiasm for collecting in her dolls, salt and pepper shakers, books, rocks and more. She loved to embroidery, sew, write poems and bake bread.


Though she was timid, in her need to touch the lives of others, she gladly volunteered much time and work to Salvation Army activities. She became a member of the organization in her early teens and held nearly every commission possible, including Home League Secretary, Young People Sergeant Major, Corps Cadet Guardian, League of Mercy Secretary, Corp Sergeant Major and Girl Guard and Sun Beam Secretary. She taught Sunday School and sang in the open-air meetings on Sunday night. She was involved in civic fund-raisers by standing kettles (bell-ringer) fir the Christmas appeal, selling War Cry magazines door to door and collecting donations from the local taverns on Saturday night. She served as a "Doughnut Girl" during WWII.


Survivors include her children, Dennis Winn of La Grande and Charlene Snider of Island City; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; sister, Charlotte Jones of La Grande; and other relatives and friends. A son, Duane Winn and a brother, Arthur Leonard, preceded her in death.


Those who wish may make contributions in memory of Mrs. Winn to the GRH Hospice, PO Box 3290, La Grande or the Oregon Diabetes Association, La Grande Chapter, 404 1st Street, La Grande, OR 97850.