Winifred Ellen Thomsen

Winifred Ellen (Hill) Thomsen passed away at her home in Walla Walla, Washington, on November 19, 2013.

The Antelope, Oregon native was born on October 7, 1914, in The Dalles, Oregon to Walter E. and Margaret (Brogan) Hill. She grew up on a farm near Antelope with her parents, three older sisters and four brothers.

Win graduated from Antelope High School in 1933; she was one of two students in her class in the rural area. Her fellow graduate later became her sister-in-law, Helen (Thomsen) Huffman.

Win and Leamon Thomsen were married on June 1, 1934, in St. Peter’s Catholic Church in The Dalles, Oregon. They were married nearly 65 years, during which they farmed and ranched at Antelope. Win worked by her husband’s side with the cattle and in the fields. She was a savvy business woman, a homemaker and an excellent baker and cook. Salesmen of farm implements and insurance would always show up to talk to Leamon near dinnertime.

Win and Leamon lived in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, in the mid-1960s, and then farmed in the Echo-Buttercreek area, before retiring in Hermiston. Win was a courageous caregiver and a strong support for her husband during his lengthy illness after retirement in Hermiston. She spent the last 11 years of her life at Park Plaza Retirement Home in Walla Walla, near family and many kind and caring friends.

Win served her church and community in many ways, such as by teaching religion classes for 25 years. In Antelope, she provided a warm and welcoming home for visits by Priests of the Baker Diocese, who traveled to officiate at early morning Masses. They enjoyed fresh cinnamon rolls and sometimes a good card game. For several years before the new Antelope Church was built, Sunday Mass was held in Win and Leamon’s home.

In Hermiston, Win was a Eucharistic minister who took Communion to the homebound. She also served in the Altar Society for Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church. Win especially enjoyed daily Mass and a bible study group. She also volunteered at Agape House, was a member of the Good Shepherd Hospital Auxiliary and a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary.

Win was predeceased by her husband, Leamon Thomsen, her sisters, Dorothy Hill, Margaret (Hill) Leaf, Grace (Hill) Crowley, and brothers, Wayne, Vernon and Philip Hill.

She is survived by her brother, Fred L. Hill, and sister-in-law, Elisabeth (Rooper) Hill, of Culver, Oregon. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Margaret Hill, of Hood River, Oregon, wife of Philip Hill, and many nieces and nephews.

Win is also survived by two daughters, Anne (Thomsen) Haberstich, of Boardman, Oregon, and Carolyn (Thomsen) Olson of Walla Walla, Washington. She is also survived by two sons-in-law, Fred Haberstich and Harry Olson.

She is survived by five grandchildren, Martin Haberstich, Timothy Haberstich, Christopher Haberstich, Karen Olson and Brian Olson. She is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Karnie Kay Krein Haberstich, Michael Haberstich, Stephanie Hofferbert, Lark Olson and Wynn Olson. She is survived by one great-great-grandson, Lucas Haberstich. Win is also survived by her long-time caregiver and friend, Bobbi Cook.

Viewing & visitation will be held on Sunday, November 24, 2013 from 1:00 PM until after the Rosary at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. The Rosary will be at 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 24, 2013, at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:00 AM on Monday, November 25, 2013 at Assumption Catholic Church, 2098 East Alder Street, Walla Walla, WA 99362 with Father David Kuttner, Celebrant. A reception at Assumption Church will follow.

The graveside burial service will be at 2 p.m. on Monday, November 25, 2013 at the Hermiston Cemetery in Hermiston, Oregon with Father Gerald Condon officiating. For more information on the burial service in Hermiston, please contact Burns Mortuary at (541)-567-6474. A reception will follow the graveside service at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church, 565 West Hermiston Avenue, Hermiston, OR 97838.

Memorial contributions may be made to St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Agape House in Hermiston, Oregon, Assumption Catholic Church in Walla Walla, Washington or Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Hermiston, Oregon though the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.