Winifred E. Niklas

Winifred E. Niklas Lansing Winnie (Parshall, Giannaris), age 86, died Tuesday, September 1, 2009. She was born in Lansing, MI on July 10, 1923, daughter of Frederick L. and Fannie L. Parshall. She had been associated with Mayflower Congregational Church her entire life, serving on boards and committees since 1951. She was a church school teacher for 27½years. She was also a member of the Red Hat Mamas Group since December 2002. Winnie was preceded in death by her parents and husbands Stephen J. Giannaris (1974) and Russell G. Niklas (2003). Surviving are sons Frederick S. (Sue) Giannaris and their daughter, Haylee of DeWitt and Thomas J. (Jean) Giannaris and their children, Stephen and Sarah of Clarkston, MI; stepsons, Dr. Robert (Jean) Giannaris of San Diego, CA and Bradley Niklas of Lansing; stepdaughters, Vicki Niklas and Betsy (Abel) Garza; 15 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren. The funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2009 at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Rick Martin and the Rev. David T. Bandfield officiating. Visitation will be from 1-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Thursday at the Lansing chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mayflower Congregational Church, 2901 W. Mt. Hope, Lansing, MI 48911.