Leitha Wienke 02/09/2012

Leitha Christensen Wienke, age 92 of New Richmond, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at Regions Hospital in St. Paul with her family by her side.  Leitha was born on December 12, 1919 in Saline, MI to Christian Albert and Julia Marie (Borg) Christensen.  On December 29, 1944 she married Paul Wienke at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Glenwood City, WI.  Leitha grew up in Michigan and Minnesota and graduated from Humboldt High School in St. Paul, MN.  She and Paul had a farm outside of Glenwood City for many years and moved to New Richmond in 1963.  Her life was full of interests that included homemaking, baking, crocheting and she especially enjoyed her bible study group at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.  She was an avid puzzle solver and reader.  She lost her mother when she was six years old and had a difficult life growing up, so her family was very important to her.  She thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Leitha was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Loreen Moe; son-in-law, Dale Moe; siblings, Adalbert, Sven, and Earl Christensen and Anne Gangi; foster parents, Arthur and Mabel Staples.  She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Paul Wienke; children, Lavonne (Joe Lado) Wienke of Arlington, VA, Steven (Pat) Wienke of Las Vegas, NV; grandchildren, Daniel (Julie) Moe of River Falls, Kari (Jeffrey) Hoefer of Baldwin, Jennifer Moe of Baldwin, Jared (Debra) Moe of Glenwood City, Melissa (Layne) Olson of Las Vegas, NV, and Eric Lado of Arlington, VA; great-grandchildren, Kaitlin, Emily and Sarah Hoefer, Morgan and Miranda Moe and Kayla and Justin Moe; brother-in-law, Walter (Bernita) Wienke; foster siblings, Kenneth (Martha) Staples, Arthur (Liz) Staples, and Corrine Johnson; and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.  A funeral service was held Monday, February 13, 2012 at 11:00 am at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in New Richmond.  Visitation was Sunday from 3:00-6:00 pm at Bakken-Young’s Beebe Chapel in New Richmond and on Monday from 10:00-11:00 am at the church.  Interment was in the New Richmond Cemetery.  Memorials may be directed to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.  Arrangements were with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services Beebe Chapel of New Richmond.