Winona Archer

Winona Mildred (Babb) Archer passed peacefully on September 28, 2025. Winona was born May 10, 1943 to Robert and Mildred (Larson) Babb in Portland, Oregon. As the youngest in the family, she joined her sister, Laura, and brothers, Charlie, Raymond and Robert, in the small logging community of Dickey Prairie outside Molalla. Shortly after she was born, the family moved to Nampa, Idaho. A few years later, they returned to Oregon. Winona attended school in Portland, where she graduated from Grant High School. After high school she worked as an operator for the Ma Bell telephone company.

On November 12, 1966, Winona married Zale Ellis Sittner Archer in the Idaho Falls temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They moved to Santa Barbara where Zale attended the Brooks Institute of Photography and, together, they managed an apartment complex. After Zale's graduation they returned to the Portland area. They built their first home in Oregon City and lived there for many years. In 1980, they moved to Dallas, Oregon to raise their seven children in a small, rural community.

Winona devoted her life to her family, church, and community. Her favorite job was raising her children. "I can't even imagine a job more fulfilling and rewarding than being a mother and raising wonderful children. That joy continues many times over as I see them as adults serving the Lord, bettering society, and raising their own children. I delight in the goodness and talents of grandchildren and great grandchildren. I have had a truly wonderful life."

Winona was preceded in death by her husband, of almost 55 years, Zale; brothers, Albert Babb and Charlie Babb; and granddaughter, Jane. She is survived by her sisters, Laura Riddle and Arlene Price; brothers, Raymond (Barbara) Babb and Robert (Cheri) Babb; her children, Hannah, Laura, David, Katherine, Julie, Mary, Suzanne; many sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, 31 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dallas, Oregon. Bollman's Tribute Center is caring for the family.