March 1, 1943 – July 26, 2023

Winora Kae Hallstrom of Worthington, Minn., age 80, passed away on July 26, 2023, at the Sunset Hospice Cottage in Worthington. 

A Celebration of Life for Winora was held on Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., at the First Lutheran Church in Worthington with Pastor Jeanette McCormick officiating. Burial was in the Worthington Memorial Gardens Cemetery. 

Honorary pallbearers were Winora’s six grandchildren, Eric, Steven, Spencer, Nola, Jack and Abby. 

Winora was born on March 1, 1943, to Floris and Clasina (Ruiter) Prins in Leota, Minn. Her family moved to Worthington in 1957. Winora graduated from WHS in 1961.

Winora married her high school sweetheart, Ron Hallstrom, on June 9, 1961. They lived in Worthington for five years. Winora and Ron moved to their farm south of Worthington and farmed until 2005.

Winora worked as a telephone operator after high school. She enjoyed work for District 518 School in the Administration Office and later worked at Larson Jewelry.

Winora became a business partner at Madels, a dress shop in downtown Worthington. She also partnered at Clothes Encounters with new styles and fashions. Winora always dressed in perfect style, including getting her hair and nails done timely. Winora changed her focus to a Tour Guide for the Reading Bus Lines from 1996 until 2017, when she retired. She was the tour hostess and Ron was the bus driver where they planned and traveled one-day trips to extended tours at home and abroad. If Winora met you once she never forgot your name or where you were from. She made all her customers or guests on the tours feel welcomed and entertained!

Winora was very active and involved with the Chamber of Commerce, attended the Blandin Community Leadership training, and a member of the CVB board. Winora was an active member at First Lutheran Church and especially enjoyed helping make gravy at the annual Lutefisk Dinner. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter DW for 35 years. Winora was a 4-H leader for Ocheda Beavers Club while their three sons were busy with their 4-H projects.

Winora was on the KTD race team in 1993 where she met many new friends from Cuero, Texas. She loved to play bridge, pickleball, and was an avid golfer, playing golf league for 35 years with special friends. Winora was the Chairman of the Board for the Historic Dayton House. Winora and Ron enjoyed thirteen winters in Arizona. Winora was well respected in the community and fondly remembered for all her accomplishments. Ron and Winora moved to Worthington in 2007. Winora moved to Golden Horizons memory care in June of 2022.

Ron and Winora were blessed with 62 years of marriage and three sons, Scott (Donna) of Overland Park, Kans., Todd of Worthington, and Jeff (Mary) of Eagan, MN. Winora loved and was very proud of her six grandchildren, Eric, Steven, Spencer, Nola, Jack, and Abby and great-grandson Chase.

Winora is also survived by her sister, Charlotte Rubingh of Omaha, Nebr., and her sister-in-law, Dianne Prins of Worthington. Winora has many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members. She blessed so many with love, friendship, kindness, and generosity. Winora lived her faith every day to the fullest and will always be loved by the lives she touched. She will be the best tour guide in Heaven!

Winora was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Lorna Kae; infant sister, Carla Prins; her parents, Floris and Clasina Prins; brother, Garvin Prins, and brother-in-law, Gary Rubingh.