Winnie Fern Schrader

Winnie Fern (McKaughan) Schrader, 98, of Salida died Jan. 16, 2019, at her home.

She was born July 24, 1920, in a small log cabin several miles outside Guffey to Alvis Roy McKaughan and Eva Mae (Bellis) McKaughan.

She had an older sister, Wilma Francis, and soon a younger sister Opal Maxine, who died from measles.

Eventually the family moved to Penrose, where her father died at age 43.

Baby sister Ruby was born the next spring and the then 15-year-old Winnie, her mother, sister and baby sister moved to Oklahoma for a short while to stay with her mother’s sisters, then returned to Colorado Springs with friends to obtain employment at Bethel Hospital.

She obtained her high school diploma and worked at the hospital in many capacities, in addition to raising baby sister Ruby.

She was introduced to her future husband, Fredrick Francis Schrader, and they were married Sept. 28, 1958.

Their only child, Myrna Marie Schrader, was born Jan. 25, 1961.

Mr. Schrader’s father and mother, William E. and Helen W. (Fuller) Schrader, moved to their summer place in Howard while the younger Mr. and Mrs. Schrader renovated the old home place on F Street and continued with the welding shop in the back.

Mrs. Schrader lived in the house that she painted pink for 61 years.

Daughter Myrna graduated from Salida High School and moved to Westcliffe.

Mr. Schrader died in December 2001, and Mrs. Schrader was supported in numerous ways by neighbors, family and the community.

She no longer drove and walked everywhere on her errands. Many people around town recognized her colorful homemade paper bonnets and her basket purse that she carried for 70 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and sisters, Wilma Frances McKaughan Keller, Opal Maxine McKaughan and Ruby Ivon McKaughan West.

Survivors include her daughter, Myrna Marie Schrader of Cañon City; brothers-in-law William Lee Schrader of Howard and Lyle Alva West of California; nephews, William Cecil (Lynn) Schrader of Nampa, Idaho, Norman Lee (Sandra) Schrader of Cañon City, Hollis Henry Keller, Wayne Wesley Keller, Larry Logan (Susie) Keller, Michael West and Rodney Ray West; niece, Cinde Schrader (Logan) McPhail of Howard; cousin Norma Arline Little (Dick) Carrithers; and many others.

A graveside service for family will be held later along with a celebration of life to be announced.

Arrangements were with Lewis and Glenn Funeral Home in Salida.

Online condolences may be offered at lewisandglenn.com.

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