Winona "Nonie" Ellwein

Born October 21 , 1928 in Niagara Falls, NY to Harry and Florence Sawyer. She attended high school in Youngstown, NY and graduated from college with a degree in accounting and secretarial courses. In 1949 she married George Reed and had four children.
In 1961 she married Vernon Ellwein and the six of them traveled across the United States while he was a superintendent in various constructive sites for Peter Kiewit & Jones, Brown & Root Construction. They settled in Lodi, CA in 1963. There are three children from this marriage. In 182 she became a single parent and went back to college to support her family and become a contributing member of the workforce. She attended Humphreys College taking courses in Computer Science, Accounting, Business Law, and Office Management/Administration. Though going to school and working she always made time to welcome her children's friends into her home. Many of them still call her "MOM" to this day.
She was a former "In house" auditor for the IRS, part owner of WS Ellwein Construction Company, employed by Vanderlans and Sons as an administrative assistant; oversaw accounting procedures for 26 entities for Kramer Development Co. She was in charge of transcripts and scholarships under Head Counselor Ben Reddish at Edison High School and secretary to three Vice Pincipals at Franklin High School.
She became a Field Operation Assistance for Experience Works (formerly Green Thumb) for San Joaquin and Sacramento Counties in 1998. Later she became Case Manager for SER-Jobs for Progress a SCSEP program in 2006. She has received many proclamations, acclamations, certificates and awards for her work with the mature citizens program (SCSEP) from local, county, and state and national government officials.
She was a charter member of Redeemer Lutheran Church where she has been Secretary and Administrator for many years. She was in the 3rd class of Lodi Partners, former chair person of the Lodi Senior Citizens Commissions and member of the Woman of the Moose and Academy of Friendship.
She is survived by daughters: Mary Kathleen Vetter (Edward), Michelle Madrid, Cindee Hieb Walker(Brian) , sons Vernon Ellwein and Dale Ellwein (Barbara). Beloved "Grandma Honey" to seven grandchildren and "Grandma 2" to seven great- grandchildren. Survived by sisters Beverly Wiepert , Marjorie Burnett and brother Wallace Sawyer of New York.
Preceeded in death by son Robert Reed and daughter Candace Ellwein, and other family members: Beryl Zastrow, Robert Sawyer and Francis Sawyer of New York.
Services will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1845 S. Ham Ln., Lodi, CA, on March 31, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Ben Salas is assisting the family with arrangements.