Winifred W. (Tague) Gurwell
February 08, 2019
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Service Details
Winifred Waunita Gurwell (Tague) passed away peacefully in her sleep in the early hours on Friday, February 8th after spending the evening with family and cheering the Iowa Hawkeye basketball team onto victory.
The oldest of three children, Winifred was born outside of Stuart, Iowa on November 13th, 1928 to parents Gertrude (Fisher) and Everett Tague. She leaves behind her younger brothers, Kenneth (Mary) Tague of Johnston, and Norman Tague of Ft. Dodge; her four devoted sons: John, Jay, and Dana (Nancy) Gurwell of Des Moines, and David (Adelaide) Gurwell of Iowa City; her eight grandchildren: Jaysson (Leah) Gurwell, Noland (Jessica) Gurwell, Joyann (Matthew) Casey, Angela (Cory) Sebastian, Leandra (David) Thompson, John Gurwell, Brittany Gurwell, Angela (David) Kunkel; and her favorite people in the world: her eighteen great-grandchildren.
Winifred graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1946 and moved to Des Moines the following year where she met the love of her life, John Gurwell, who, after 36 years of marriage to Winnie, passed in 1984. As devoted parents, John often coached his sons through youth sports, and Winnie managed their home and volunteered at their church, Marquisville United Methodist. She was a woman of great faith.
Winifred went to work at Northwestern Bell and retired after 20 years. After retiring, Winifred spent time camping, cheering for all Iowa sports teams, volunteering at church or the Saylor TWP voting station, tending her many gardens and traveling with friends, but her passion in life was spending time with her family.
School plays, dance and chorus recitals, gymnastics meets, baseball, basketball, football, track and hockey, it didn't matter how far she had to drive, Winnie would be there to support her sons, her grandchildren, and later, her great-grandchildren because family was most important to her. She taught her children, grandchildren, and great-children to be kind, to show respect, to laugh, and above all, to never give up on each other.
We take these lessons and Winifred's immeasurable goodness into the world each day knowing there will never be another like her.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life gathering in early April, more details to come.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 21, 2019, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines, with visitation from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. She will be laid to rest at Pine Hill Cemetery. Following the committal service, there will be a luncheon back at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Judy Carlos Sharpe
02/20/2019
Thinking of your entire family. Moms are irreplaceable but she will always be a part of you. She lives on in your heart and your memories. Sorry I cannot be at the memorial service-I have a doctor appointment. Hugs and prayers to you all
Mike and Carole Martin
02/19/2019
John Everette, Jay, David, and Dana:
Mike and I are saddened to hear of your mothers passing. We always enjoyed bumping into her around town and catching up, plus her newsy Christmas letter. Mike and I winter in Harlingen, Texas, now. So do Deb and Greg. Pam lived here full time, but we lost her last August. Kim also lives here full time. Tim is still living in Georgia. We winter here Nov-April, usually.
Our sincere sympathy in he loss of your dear mother and our Aunt Winnie.
Mike and Carole Martin
Carolyn Bonney Petersen
02/19/2019
John & Jay
So sorry for the loss of your Mom. Speedy healing for you and your family. Take care of yourselves and your family.
Gordon Malone
02/19/2019
Sorry for the loss of your Mother John. She must have been quite the Lady!
Martha Swigart
02/18/2019
My deepest sympathy to your family. Winnie was a great lady who loved her family. I worked with her at the voting poll and she always talked of her loved ones. Enjoy all your memories.
Jon Genier
02/15/2019
My condolences to your family. May the hope expressed at Job 14:13-15 give you some comfort for your great loss.
Vicki Sparks
02/14/2019
Nancy, Dana, Brittney, and Johnnie, sorry for your loss. She was a great woman and very kind to my daughter Angel and myself. If you need anything let us know. We are glad to help. God Bless You!
Karen & Dave Abeyta
02/12/2019
Winnie I will miss you dearly. Winnie was the strongest, sweetest person I have been blessed to have in my life.
Cyndee & Gene Davis
02/12/2019
We always looked forward to seeing and talking with Winnie. She had such a sweet smile and loving personality. We will miss you, my friend. Rest in peace.
Jill Reber
02/12/2019
Angie and Joy,
Your Grandma Winnie was always so happy and bright at the kids birthday parties. You could tell that you all were the highlight of her life.
Jill Reber
Pat Tague Catterton
02/12/2019
So sorry to hear of the loss of Winifreds passing. She will be missed by so many. She was a cousin of mine whom I hadnt seen for some time.
LaVon Johnson
02/12/2019
Our thoughts and prayers to Winifred's family. She was such a neat person. We knew her through Earl and Ramona Campbell (Earl is my brother). We used to camp and a couple of times we camped down by Des Moines and Winifred would be there. Lots of fun memories.
Sue Cornelius Leibrand
02/12/2019
So sorry to hear your wonderful Mom & Grandmother passed ! May God Bless you with Peace at this time
Pat Thompson
02/12/2019
She will be greatly missed by so many people! She was very kind to me and my husband.
Bob Adams
02/12/2019
John I am sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Hold close the memories of your mom and may she Rest In Peace.