Jane Winge

Jane (Williamson) Winge passed away peacefully on June 12, 2020 in Bismark, North Dakota seventeen days after her husband of forty-six years, Ralph Winge, passed away.  Their love and devotion to each other was evident to all who knew them, even in their passing.

Jane was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1926 to Charles Oliver Williamson and Adella (Clark) Williamson.  In 1944, Jane graduated from Wilkinsburg High school and went on to attend Carnegie-Mellon University (formerly Carnegie Institute of Technology, where her father was a professor of Physics).  At CMU Jane she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics, Clothing and Textiles.

Jane later earned a Masters of Letters degree in Retail Merchandising from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Science Degree in Extension Education, Home Economics, Clothing and Textiles at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Jane served as an Extension Home Economist in West Bend, WI, for the University of Wisconsin and ultimately joined the Extension Service at North Dakota State University in Fargo, ND where she served as Extension Clothing, Textiles and Design Specialist and later as a Gerontology Specialist attaining the rank of Full Professor.  Jane retired from NDSU and was ultimately awarded Professor Emeritus by the North Dakota State Board of Higher Education.

Jane Williamson was introduced to Ralph Winge in 1973 through a mutual friend. They were married March 1, 1974 in Tallahassee, Florida.  Jane and Ralph made a life together on their family farm in Litchville, ND.  During the week, Ralph farmed the land and Jane lived in a small apartment in Fargo and worked at NDSU.  Jane would return home to the farm and Ralph every weekend. 

Jane embraced rural life and was a gracious hostess. She sewed her own beautifully tailored clothing and created elaborate quilts.  Jane, along with close neighbors Dianna Formo and Linda Kluvers, co-authored several editions of two cookbooks, “Ritzy Rhubarb Secrets” and “Pumpkin, Winter Squash and Carrots” for the “Litchville Committee 2000”.

Jane was very active in the local community.  Ralph and Jane actively supported many causes and organizations: Litchville First Lutheran Church, Litchville Fire Department, Litchville Community Center,  Sheyenne Valley Garden Club, Sheyenne Valley Community Foundation, Barnes County Historical Society, Parshall Area Community Foundation, State Historical Society of North Dakota, the Center For Science in the Public Interest, The Carter Center and and various land and wildlife conversation societies.

Ralph and Jane were a curious and brilliant couple and their marriage an example of true love and devotion for forty-six years. They loved to travel and explore and did so extensively.  She was immensely proud of her extended family and enjoyed hearing of their adventures and achievements.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Winge, her parents Charles and Adella Williamson and her brother George Williamson.  Jane is survived by her brother, David Williamson, brother-in-law, Royce Winge, nieces and nephews, Ted (Norene) Williamson, Deborah (Bruce Allen) Williamson, Paul (Nancy Durant) Williamson, Vernon (Mary Hedstrom) Winge, Alan Winge, Muriel Lippert, Nancy (John) Walsh, Joyce (Steve Rees) Winge, Julia (Steve Kuntz) Winge, Carol (Denis Mahoney) Winge and many great-nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, June 28, 2020 at 2:00PM at the First Lutheran Church in Litchville, ND.  Burial will be held following the service at Woodbine Cemetery in Valley City, ND.  Obituaries can be found and condolences shared in the eastgatefuneral.com guestbook, the “Remembering Ralph and Jane Winge” Facebook group, or by mailing a card to Muriel Lippert, 3112 N Colorado Dr, Bismarck, ND 58503.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the First Lutheran Church of Litchville.