Jessie Winecki Obituary

Durango resident Jessie Mae Winecki died of heart failure Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, at Four Corners Health Care Center in Durango. She was 98.

Mrs. Winecki was born to William and Hilda Greget on Nov. 3, 1913, in Mayville, Wis. She completed the eighth grade in Mayville.

On May 13, 1936, she married Benjamin Winecki in Stevens Point, Wis.

Mrs. Winecki was the head chef and restaurant manager of the well-known Hot Fish Shop in Stevens Point for more than 25 years.

She was an accomplished quilter in her retirement, and she rescued and loved a number of cats and dogs, her family said.

Mrs. Winecki moved to Durango in October 2011 to be closer to her granddaughter Jessie Kileen and great-grandchildren.

"This was Jessie's first time in the mountains, and it was a grand adventure," her granddaughter said. "She played Yahtzee almost every day, and she could add up the points on the card faster than anyone."

Mrs. Winecki was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Benjamin Winecki, in 2005.

She is survived by her children, Robert Winecki of San Antonio, Susan Winecki of Milwaukee, Ronald Winecki of Hot Springs, Ark., Richard Winecki of Walnut Grove, Calif., William Winecki of Pensacola, Fla., and Mary Lou Lineberger of Bluffton, S.C.; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Cremation will occur. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at Hood Mortuary Chapel, 1261 East Third Ave. Chaplain Susan Winecki will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the La Plata County Humane Society, 1111 South Camino del Rio, Durango, CO 81303.