Winifred Stanowski

Winifred June Martin Winnie or Win was born in Fargo, North Dakota to William and Lucretia Martin on January 17th of 1920. As a side note, this was the same year that Prohibition began. Winnie, as her friends and family generally called her, was the oldest of four sisters: her younger sisters were Shirley, Georgette, and Beverly, usually called Baby. Winnie attended Edison High School in Northeast Minneapolis. She worked at Appraisal Services and planned on becoming a nurse until marriage and motherhood called. In a bittersweet and strange twist of fate, Win became a mother and widow at age 19. First child, Julierose Julie Evelyn Chelmo, was born in St. Barnabas Hospital, as her first husband, William Chelmo, was dying of cancer, also in St. Barnabas Hospital. William had the chance to view baby Julie through an oxygen tent, before his passing. As the saying goes, It takes a Village to raise a child; thus, Wins mother and sisters also provided much appreciated mentoring and guidance. Win met Henry Hank Stanowski through sister Beverlys husband-to-be, Richard Bud Ed. Win went on to have two more children, sons John and David Stanowski. Motherhood was Wins true calling. To the very end, this was the joy and devotion of her life. Win and husband Hank first lived in a house in Blaine, MN. It is hard to believe, but the basement house, as they would come to call it, had no first floor. It had a roof, of course. Winnie and Hank didnt believe in credit, and finances were tight, therefore, they bought the basement house with intent to add a first floor when they could afford to do so. They sold the basement house before expanding to a first level. Together with Sister and Brother in law, Baby and Bud, they then bought a duplex in the Camden area of North Minneapolis at 3754 4th Street North. Win and Hank shared the first floor while sister and brother in law, Baby and Bud shared the second level. Baby and Bud eventually moved to Brooklyn Center. The home that Win and Hank then owned with each other became a rented upper level of the duplex. It was there, at 3754 4th Street North, that Win had her fondest memories of husband Hank and all three children together under one roof. Wins nieces remember her giving them piano lessons and playing unique games when they visited. Wins children remember her picking apple pies from the apple tree that grew a few feet from their home, and baking what her children considered the best apple pies that anybody ever made. Winnie would also go on to manage the books of various businesses that husband Hank tested out. Eventually Hank would return to his favorite business, a gasoline station with car service repair stalls. Win managed the books while raising her children. When Hank sold his last business, Win went to work for Madsen Floral doing various tasks such as making floral arrangements. She also worked as an account clerk at the Hennepin County Government Center. Win and Hank were forced to sell their home at 3754 4th Street North, due to eminent domain and the development of interstate 94. The house stood where the Dowling Avenue ramp onto Interstate 94 now stands. It was at about that time that son John eventually moved to Aspen Colorado before settling in at Lake Tahoe, California. Julie married Arthur Art Boike and enjoyed becoming grandmother to their three children, Mark, Christine, and Amy. After leaving the city life of North Minneapolis, Win and Hank moved to a small single level house in Brooklyn Center, MN. She was fond of all of her neighbors too many to mention by name. Win loved to play Scrabble with friends and participated in competitive Scrabble tournaments. Shortly after starting her work at the Hennepin County Government Center, Win and Hank took a trip to Communist Poland, along with Hanks brother Ted and Sister in law, Mary Stanowski. They connected with first cousins who were still in Poland. Hank, Ted, Mary and Win, along with a little help from Vice President Mondale, were able to help Cousin Tadeusz Majewski gain entry and life in America, away from the hardship that Poland was enduring at the time. Tadeusz has since founded the Chopin Society of Minnesota, a major arts organization. Hank came from a family of nine children. Win treated her in-laws Hanks siblings as her own. Every year, she organized family picnics at Columbia Park in Northeast Minneapolis for her extended family. She would coordinate the events that included food preparation and games such as water balloon tosses and Bingo with prank gifts for prizes. Win and husband Hank didnt much believe in giving themselves perks in life. They seemed very content with simple pleasures. Win and Hank did, however, buy a new van upon Wins retirement. They then traveled Route 66 from Oklahoma to California. Their travels also included numerous trips to Lake Tahoe to visit son John. Because Win and Hank were unlikely to treat themselves, and because their children wanted to Give back to them, they were treated to trips to such destinations as Jamaica, The US Virgin Islands, Mazatlan and Cozumel. Their last trip was to South and Central California with son John as their guide. Win had a pacemaker implant in 2007 and again in 2008 due to a defect in the pacemaker. She nearly lost her life in 2008 when there was a problem with the implant procedure. When Wins husband of 56 years, Hank, died in 2009, Win eventually moved in with Sister Julie and brother in law Art in Ramsey MN. Win headed to Florida with Julie and Art each winter from 2010 to 2014, five winters in total. Win was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude when family and friends convened to show their love for her at a large catered event to celebrate her 90th birthday. Win seemed to thrive on the activities and loving attention that she received from the Adult Day Care Volunteers at Zion Lutheran Church and Coon Rapids United Methodist Church during the last year of her life. Eventually Win moved in with her new family at Stoney River Assisted Living in Ramsey, MN. It was there that very loving caregivers tended to her needs, along with roommate Sandy who treated Win like one of her children. Win eventually succumbed to several illnesses that became too much for her. She died on September 15th, 2015 while in hospice care at Stoney River. Win is survived by her three children, two granddaughters and a grandson, along with eight great grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Mark Boike, Christine Kowalchyk, and Amy Paez. Great Grandhildren are Nolan Boike, Carlena Carly Boike, and Clarissa Claire Boike. Great Granchildren also include Alex, Josh, and Ava Kowalchyk, as well as Julianna and Allissa Paez.