Winifred M. (Powers)Chandler, 98, passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, February 18, 2016. Friends may call on Sunday, February 21 from 1pm-4pm at the Haudenshield Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cuba City, WI. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

Winnie was born May 11, 1917 in New Diggings, Wisconsin to the late Ed and Ricca L. (Ames) Powers. Winnie attended and graduated from Platteville Teachers' College and obtained a master's degree from University of Wisconsin at Steven's Point.

Winnie married Virgil L. Chandler in 1943 and traveled extensively with her sons David and Dennis throughout Virgil's 20-year naval career, living in naval bases such as Norfolk, VA; Philadelphia, PA; Portsmouth, NH; and San Diego, CA.

The family took full advantage of the lifestyle, enjoying all the educational and historical sites in the areas surrounding the bases. Winnie and Virgil settled in Montello, WI when Virgil retired from the military, and Winnie began her 20-year teaching career, starting out in a one-room schoolhouse.

In 1981, facing the impending loss of her husband, Winnie attended an auction in Hazel Green, WI, purchasing the home she had lived in with her family during her high school years. She carefully restored the abandoned home to its former beauty and her siblings greatly enjoyed coming to visit, staying in their familiar rooms. Once situated in Hazel Green, Winnie expanded her travels to more far-reaching locales such as England, France, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand. When she was 90, she traveled with her sister on a cross-country driving trip to California for a winter of sightseeing and golf. She loved reading, visiting with friends and family, and dining out.

She was well-known in her community and remained very active until just a few weeks prior to her passing.

Winnie is survived by her two sons: David, Neshkoro, WI and Dennis (Gayle Gold), Blue Mounds, WI; sister Jean M. Collis (nee Powers) and nephew James Collis, Cedar Rapids, IA; nieces and nephews: Donna Lee (David) Horvath, Madison, WI; Jean Ann (Rick) Nelson, Watertown, WI; Mark Powers, Madison, WI; Barbara Reinhart, Woodbury, MN; and niece-in-law Kay Parish, Madison, WI.

She is preceded in death by her husband Virgil, brother Purvus Powers and sister-in-law Mary Agnes Powers; sister Evelyn Powers Yoder and brother-in-law Wayne Yoder; brother-in-law Robert Collis; and nephew Paul Yoder.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hazel Green Fire Department and Rescue Squad would be appreciated .

We would like to express profound gratitude to Winnie's special caretakers: her beloved sister Jean and nephew Jim; neighbors Sonia Burkholder, Sheri Berning, and Sherri Temperly; and friend Lori Knorr.