Ada Mae Windecker

About Ada

Ada Mae Windecker, surrounded by family, passed away on February 6, 2022 at Cornerstone Senior Residence in Bagley Minnesota at the age of 93.

Ada Mae (Patterson) Windecker was born on September 10, 1928 in Waterloo, Iowa. Ada graduated from high school in Waterloo in 1947 where she dated Wendell Windecker during her senior year. Ada and Wendell were married on November 16 that same year in Iowa Falls, Iowa and they made their first home in Ackley, Iowa.

Two years later they moved to a small house east of Alida and then they later moved to Hendrum, MN. In 1955, they moved back to a house in downtown Alida. Ada made Alida her home until 2018, at which time she became a resident of Cornerstone Senior Residence of Bagley.

In addition to raising five children, maintaining a home and gardens, she was employed at Nelson Eggs for a few years before moving on to become a teacher’s aide for Bagley Public Schools, where she worked until retirement.

Throughout her life, Ada was extremely active in and around her community, so much so she was nicknamed The Mayor of Alida. Ada was a member of Alida Lutheran Church holding offices such as Superintendent of the Sunday school and President of the Ladies Aid, and was a member of the Ladies Circle.

In addition to her church, she was very active throughout Clearwater County as Clerk of Bear Creek Township, a Bear Creek Township election worker, Superintendent of Plants and Flowers at the Clearwater County Fair, and winner of many ribbons for her exhibits of flowers, crafts, and rosemaling entries.

Being a master of time management, Ada was also a member of the Shevlin Garden Club and the Alida Baking Club. In 2007, she was formally recognized as one of two Clearwater County Senior Citizens of the Year.

Ada was a highly motivated adult learner with a lot of artistic talents. Over the years she took several classes in pottery, painting, and rosemaling. She attended the Wilton School of Cake Decorating in Chicago. Using these newfound talents Ada baked and decorated wedding cakes for many couples throughout Clearwater County.

Above all, Ada was a loving wife and mother. She absolutely loved life and made the most of every minute. And we all—family and friends alike--will miss her dearly and think of her often.

She is survived by her children Joleen (David) Mittelholtz, Lynne (Pat) Hogan, Perry Windecker, Kelly (Karen) Windecker, and Kevin Windecker, sister Mary Lou Shelquist, sisters in law LaVonne Patterson, Donna Patterson, many grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren and many more extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Wendell Windecker, parents Perry and Viva Patterson, siblings Myron, Perry, Bonna, Earl, Marion, Jim, and Wayne, daughter-in-law Barb (Lafriniere) Windecker, and granddaughter Miranda (Windecker) Zopfi.

memorial service

Funeral Services for Ada

February 18, 2022

Alida Lutheran Church in Alida, MN with a visitation one hour prior. A visitation will also be held the evening before on Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Cease Funeral Home in Bagley, MN. Interment will be in the spring at Alida Cemetery.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home