Myrna Winter

1930 - 2022

Myrna Winter

June 14, 1930 - January 21, 2022

Myrna Winter, 91, a longtime resident of Santa Maria, was called home by her Heavenly Father on January 21, 2022.

Myrna was born June 14, 1930, in Tipton, Oklahoma to Wylie and Ola (Tant) Kidd. She spent the early years of her childhood in Porterville, CA until her mother passed away. The family went back to OK for a time, and Myrna talked about feeling so behind in school. She returned to CA with her father and sister, Ann, where the girls remained together after their father also passed away. She graduated from Porterville Union High School in 1948, and married her high school sweetheart, Ronald Winter. When the Korean War called him to active duty, she found herself in Washington DC, working at the Library of Congress. Myrna and Ron parted amicably when the war ended, and she returned to California. She worked various jobs until finding her way to the Central Coast, and into real estate. Along with Billie Everett and Frances Beaver, Myrna was one of the first female real estate brokers in Santa Maria. With husband, Bob Evje, by her side, she ran a successful real estate office for nearly 50 years. She sold many housing developments in the area, including Foothill Estates and Victoria Gardens. Over the years, she was very active in the community through the Minerva Club, the realty board where she served as President, and in the Santa Maria Valley Historical Society. Later on in life, Myrna was married to Gordon Lees, and they enjoyed traveling to Hawaii, Mexico, Palm Springs and the Caribbean. Not one to sit still after retirement, she also operated the Santa Maria Inn Gift Shop for a number of years. She had an incredible green thumb, and loved beautifying her yard and growing orchids. She was a faithful servant of Jesus, and loved to tell you so! She was a member of First Christian Church for many years, and more recently a member of Crestwood Christian Fellowship. Myrna never met a stranger, and showed her special brand of kindness to everyone she came in contact with. For this reason, and many others, she will be dearly missed and never forgotten.

Myrna was preceded in death by her parents and siblings; her husband, Gordon Lees, in 2018; her beloved nieces, Betty Alexander and Myrna J. Frimmel; and other family members. She is survived by her daughter, Kimberly (Monte) Lapiz; stepdaughter, Allison (Andrew) Pinello; stepson, Randy (Steffany) Lees; granddaughter, Logan (Kyle) Frank; grandsons, Anthony Lapiz and Jeremy (Taylor) Tate; great grandson, Quentin Tate; other beloved nieces and nephews; and her faithful feline companions, Jack, KD and Madirose.

We will celebrate Myrna's life on Saturday, April 16th, 11:00 a.m.. at Crestwood Christian Fellowship (1265 West McCoy Lane, Santa Maria). In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions in her name to The Santa Maria Valley Humane Society (1687 West Stowell Road, Santa Maria, CA 93458), Crestwood Christian Fellowship (1265 West McCoy Lane, Santa Maria, CA 93455), or to the veterans charity of your choice. It has always been Myrna's wish to have people show up to honor her one last time dressed in bright, beautiful colors-red and pink were her favorite-so please dress accordingly on April 16th!