Nancy Winning

Nancy Irene Martens Winning, 91, peacefully passed away, having been surrounded by family, on July 26, 2025. She was a devoted mother, a lover of books, and a British murder mystery enthusiast whether in books, movies, or television shows.
Born on Dec. 23, 1933 at Saint Joseph's Mercy Hospital in Dubuque, IA, she was the daughter of William E. and Mary S. Martens. After graduating from high school in 1951 at St. Joseph's Academy in Dubuque, she went to work at The Dubuque Telegraph Herald. It was there she met a young reporter John "Jack" Winning. They married on Sept. 15, 1956 at St. Patrick's Church.
His distinguished newspaper career soon took them to Rockford, Ill, then the Buffalo, NY, area, Contra Costa County, Ca., and finally the Chico, Ca., area. With each move she found work including at the Jewish Community Center in Rockford, Phillips Plumbing in western New York, as a credential analyst for the California State Teachers Retirement System in Contra Costa County, and finally for the California State University, Chico.
Her favorite home was in the woods of Craneridge Community in Glenwood, NY, outside Buffalo.
After the death of her beloved husband in September of 2002, she moved back to her hometown of Dubuque to be close to her brother Thomas "Gus" Martens and family, and her sister Mary "Ginger" Walsh and family. Both preceded her in death as did her other brother William "Red" Martens.
One of her great joys was the regular Friday night dinner out with friend Kathy Slocum and their close group. After dinner they would all go back to Nancy's house for a glass of wine, dessert and cards. It was something she looked forward to each week.
She also always looked forward to her niece Jill Baumhover's regular visits and was extremely appreciative of all her help.
She is survived by son Michael (Jocelyn) Winning of Kona, HI, daughter Sara (John) Kirkpatrick, Bald Head Island, NC, and son Matthew Winning, Dubuque, who lived with her for the last eight years making sure she could stay in her home. She is also survived by grandchildren Chellyse Pixton, Jason Winning, Eric Winning, Rebecca Winning, and great-grandchildren.
There will be no public services.