Winnie Martha Dean Switzer was born April 12, 1915 at home in Roger Mills County to Arthur and Lena (Black) Dean. She passed away October 12, 2012 in Elk City, Oklahoma at the age of 97. She was a true servant for Christ. Baptized at the age of 14, she began her Christian journey. Winnie would be the first of the ladies working to prepare funeral meals and she stayed until everything was done. She often brought fresh flower arrangements, from her own garden, to Sunday church services. She truly had a "green thumb".

Winnie married Gene Switzer on December 27, 1932. They made their home in the Red Star community. After moving and residing in California for 2 ½ years, Gene longed for Oklahoma so they returned. Winnie was a fine homemaker and wonderful cook. She worked alongside Gene on the farm. She bought her first freezer from money made from snapping cotton. Gene died October 22, 1976 after a long battle with cancer. Their friends and neighbors, Ed and Johnnie Faye Glaesman, helped Winnie anyway they could while Gene was ill. The grief of losing Gene motivated Winnie stay busy. She would take daily long walks and many times her friend Ruth Blackketter would walk with her. Ruth would listen to Winnie talk of her grief and hopelessness and would offer her encouragement and support.

Winnie liked to fish and she would take the Blackketter boys fishing in her pond. She became a Pink Lady Volunteer at Great Plains Regional Hospital. She and friend, Lorine Albright, joined several travel clubs and began seeing the world together. They circled the entire globe visiting the Arctic Circle and Antarctica. They visited every continent; however, Winnie chose not to visit the country of India because she felt seeing the malnourished children living in the streets would break her heart. Winnie was generous to a fault. She was a faithful financial supporter of the Leedey Nursing Center for many years. She was an accomplished oil and water color painter and many homes in Leedey and the surrounding communities are graced with Winnie Switzer paintings.

Winnie was a true dog lover and had many over the years but her chubby Boston Terrier Maggie, was her faithful companion and pride and joy. She was a most gracious hostess and always overlooked any shortcomings any of her guests might have.

Winnie had a group of dedicated care givers; Ed and Johnnie Glaesman, Jodi Stallings, Johnna West Hughes, Jerry Shelton, Joe and Brenda West, Doris Hobbs, Carolyn Nickleson, Sammy and Sally Despain, Lavena Skelton, Tosha and Linda Albright, and two special housekeepers, Adrian and Bailey. She loved Fettuccine Alfredo!

Winnie was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; parents, Arthur and Lena Dean; sisters, Loretta Swank Tucker, Lola Oneto; brothers, Cecil Dean, Allen Dean and twin brother, Wayne Dean. Winnie leaves many nieces, nephews and a host of friends to mourn her passing.