Winnifred Gillespie

On March 20, 2022 Winnifred “Winnie” Mae (Halvorson) Gillespie passed away at her home, peacefully in her sleep surrounded by love. She was 90 years old.  Born to Wallace and Blanche Halvorson in Milan Minnesota on February 7th, 1932, the second of 8 children.  She spent her growing up years in between Saskatchewan Canada and Minnesota. On February 4th, 1951, Winnifred married her true love Allen D. Gillespie.  They raised their family on a farm south of Audubon. Winnie was a Master Gardner, beekeeper, mentor, home health care provider, and a founding member of the Community Alliance Church.  As a lifelong learner she freely shared her faith and knowledge by mentoring and counseling.  She is active in her church, community, relationships and aspired to connect at a deep level with everyone.  Her interests were broad and personal too.  As an eighth-generation beekeeper she mentored others and passed her skills to her daughter. She was known for her passion for flowers and shared that passion by supplying bouquets for the morning church services marriages of friends and a local flower shop.   Her faith carried her through her life, and it comforted her in her passing. She was survived by her 7 Children, 3 sisters (Fern, Rose & Annette), 3 brothers (Wallace “Swede”, Christian “Chris” and John), 19 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.  Winnie was preceded in death by her husband Allen D. Gillespie of 61 years and her brother Albert Halvorson.   To all her friends, thank you for the gift of your love and support of her and her family.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley.