Glenna Marie Winebrenner

Glenna Marie Winebrenner of Hot Springs passed away Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018, at St. Luke Community Hospital in Ronan at the age of 85. She was born to Lester and Mildreth Paro Oct. 19, 1932, at the Holy Family Hospital in St. Ignatius. She was educated in Hot Springs, graduating high school in 1950. During her school years she was active in band, chorus and played on the girls’ half-court basketball team. She began her working life at the age of 12 wrapping butter at the Hot Springs Creamery for Bob and Alice Owens. When Courtner’s Corner Ice Cream Parlor opened, she and Frankie Beebee were the first two hired. She worked at every restaurant in Hot Springs, and also the dining rooms of both Symes and Florence hotels. In 1971 she began her long tenure as the manager and cook for the school lunch program in Hot Springs until her retirement in 1998. She was always proud of the home-cooked meals she provided the students and faculty and was well known for the maple bars sold in the concession booth she made for the home ball games.

 During her life she baked and decorated countless wedding, birthday, baby shower, graduation and prom cakes, starting in 1958 until her hands no longer permitted her to shape the intricate flowers and designs in 2005 (although she did a few more for her beloved grandchildren). Her cakes traveled to Alaska, Indiana, Canada, Idaho, Washington, Oregon and all over Montana. Besides her fabulous cooking she was a talented seamstress, constructing uniforms and doing alterations for both players and cheerleaders of the Hot Springs school. She was very active with Sanders County 4-H over the years, mentoring many youngsters as well as judging at the fair and dress revues.

 Glenna married Carl Virgil Winebrenner right after graduating high school. Together they raised 5 children: Rex (Shellie) of Polson, Edward (Nancy) and Ned (Peggy) of Hot Springs, Millie Jean (Brock) of Salt Lake City and Thad (Noelle) of Ronan. She will be missed by her 11 grandchildren: Kryss Irick, Michele Zachary, Kenny Winebrenner, Darcy Luedke, Reilley Winebrenner, Sadie Flesch, Jeb Winebrenner, Cole Winebrenner, Thad Vickery, Franky Winebrenner and Wyatt Winebrenner. She also has 12 great-great grandchildren: Sophia, Ellisyn and Josephine Irick, Courtney and Carley Winebrenner, Merrick and Malloy Zachary, Kinsley and Liam Flesch and Kelly Dawn, Garret and Victoria Winebrenner. Many others called her Mom or Grandma and she loved every one of them.

 After Virgil passed away in 2007, the farm was sold and she moved into town where she spent many hours on her beautiful quilts which she lovingly crafted for family and many fundraising events. She enjoyed her new home, tending her yard and relaxing.

 She was preceded in death by her husband, sister, Karen and brother Lester. Surviving her are sisters Toni Mitchell and Penny Ross, brothers Jim and Tom Paro, all of Ronan, as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends.

 A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 20, at 1 p.m. with a lunch to follow at the Lonepine Community Hall in Lonepine. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made to Eastern Star-Cathryn Johnson 132 OES c/o Barb Rinke, 58158 Moiese Valley Road, Ronan, MT 59864.

The family would also like to thank her doctor and the nursing staff at St. Luke for the loving care provided to her these last weeks. She spoke very highly of you.