Winnijean Vanheel

Winnijean VanHeel, 92, of Great Falls, passed away Thursday, October 16, 2014 at Park Place. A private family celebration will take place. Cremation has taken place under the care of O’Connor Funeral Home. Winnijean was born September 8, 1922 to William and Marie Gaines in Conrad where she grew up. She married Harry VanHeel and to this union three children were born. They made their home in Conrad and later divorced. Winnijean attended Kinman Business College in Washington State and afterwards made her home in Great Falls. She worked for the public library and later for World Wide Press. She retired in the 1990’s. She had a wonderful sense of humor and will be fondly remembered as being ‘a character.’ She enjoyed trying her luck at the poker machines and also loved to cook and garden. She is survived by her family that she so enjoyed spending time with—her son Bryan Cody (Kathleen) VanHeel and their children, Bryan VanHeel, Casey VanHeel, and Jalayna Hartman; son Roderick K. (Donna) VanHeel and their children Garrett VanHeel, Wylie VanHeel, Heather Rohlf, Hallie Schumaker, and Casey Doran; daughter Linda Winchell and her daughters Tami Winchell and Tasha Hoey; numerous great-grandchildren; and one beloved dog Zoey. Winnijean was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Margie, Jerri, Bonnie; her infant sister; and her beloved dog Champagne.