Winifred Willa Maier

MISSOULA ~ Winifred Willa “Winnie” Maier, 99, of Missoula, passed away Thursday, June 12, 2025 at The BeeHive Homes of Missoula of natural causes.

Winnie was born November 30, 1925 in Miles City, Montana to Gustav and Anna (Graham) Wornath. She graduated from Missoula County High School. Not long after, she married Alvin Maier. Over the years they had five children; Lloyd, Carol, Linda, Larry and Chris. Even with a full house, no one was ever a stranger. They were instantly part of the family.

She absolutely loved to bake all types of goodies. Everyone would go to the kitchen just to see what baked goods she had created that day.

Gardening in the vegetable garden and maintaining beautiful, vibrant flowers was another favorite pass time of hers. And we cannot forget her famous canned by hand pickled beets and pickles! They were a family legacy favorite.

Being outside, sitting in her swing as she watched the hummingbirds feed, the sun glisten through the trees in the forest and getting to watch nature, truly was something that filled her heart with joy.

Winnie loved to listen to old Country Western music, drink her Coca Cola, eat chocolate and cookies. Her favorite color was blue. Many times you could also find her at the table debating where the next piece of a jigsaw puzzle was to complete, or filling in a word puzzle.

She was kind, gentle and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother and her infectious smile brought warmth to any room she was in.

The last few months of her life, she got the chance to stay at The BeeHive Homes where she enjoyed social engagements, activities and to connect with the ones that cared for her.

Winnie is survived by her children, Lloyd (Kelly) Maier, Carol Standlea, Linda (Bruce) Collins, Larry (Shelley) Maier and Chris Maier; twelve grandchildren, six boys and six girls; numerous great and great great-grandchildren; one sister, Bernice White and one brother, Richie (Vicki) Wornath.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin; parents, Gustav and Anna Wornath; one son-in-law, Ted Standlea and one daughter-in-law, Barb Maier.

Her Memorial Service with be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 21, 2025 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with a reception to follow in the Community Room at the funeral home.

Services are under the care of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory in Missoula.