Winnifred Wehner

A funeral service for Winnifred Wehner, 87, of Dickinson, will be 1:00 p. m. , Thursday, January 22nd at Stevenson Funeral Home with Eucharastic Minister Mary Massad officiating. Burial will take place in Immanuel Cemetery at a later date. Visitation for Winnifred will be 11:30 a. m. to 1:00 p. m. , Thursday before the service at the funeral home. Winnifred passed away Monday, January 19, 2015 at CHI St. Joseph’s Health in Dickinson. Winnifred was born October 3, 1927 in Bismarck, the daughter of Fred and Hortense (Kruger) Muecke. She attended country school as a young girl and asked herself ‘WHY ME’ when her mother left her there alone to attend school. Winnifred graduated in 1945 from Taylor High School. She met the love of her life, Earl, at a high school dance. On September 28, 1946 she married Earl Ralph Wehner. The young couple lived on the farm in the granary and then moved to Dickinson in 1947. They were blessed with two children, Kim and Desirae. In December 1952, Winnifred became a victim of polio which left both her legs paralyzed. She became a young wife and mother with a fighting spirit, who faught back gallantly. In January she was fitted with a back brace and long leg braces which she wore her entire life. In February 1953, she was able to return home, ready to conquer the world around her from her wheelchair. She would not hear of the word “disability”. Winnifred started two successful careers. She shared her musical talent and taught piano lessons for 22 years. They purchased the pipe organs from a Baptist church and put them in her home. Three years after she began working as an operator for Dick Cord’s answering service, she purchased the business and Winnie’s Message Center began in 1982. She sold it and retired in 2000. Winnifred continued to serve the community selflessly. She was a den mother and pack leader for cub scouts, weblogs, and boy scouts. She served as Handicraft Director for campfire girl’s summer camp, became a certified piano teacher, sold Avon products and was an active member of a Homemakers Club. Winnifred became a very recognized woman, receiving awards such as ‘Dickinson’s Outstanding Handicapped Citizen’, recognized by ND Governor’s Committee as ‘Employed Handicapped Citizen of the Year’ and ‘North Dakota Polio Mother of the Year’. Winnifred has proven that disabilities need not be a barrier for handicapped individuals. Winnifred is survived by her husband, Earl; son, Kim (Sharon) Wehner of Kennewick, WA ; daughter, Desirae (Marvin) Smith of Dickinson, brother, Otto (Maureen) Muecke of Mayville, ND, and half sister, Louise Crone of Port Orchid, WA. She is preceded by her parents, Fred and Hortense.


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Burial Date: January 22, 2015
Funeral Home Dickinson, ND
Church Stevenson Funeral Home

Funeral Service: Thursday: Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson, ND