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Winnie's Register Book            Back to Obituaries

Winifred Ellen O’Connell better known as "Winnie" to her family and friends was born June 19, 1920 along with her twin brother Warren, on her family’s ranch north of Philip, South Dakota, the daughter of Jim and Doris (Daly) O’Connell. 

She grew up and received her education in the area, attending Pleasant View Rural School by walking everyday. She attended Philip High School graduating salutatorian of the class of 1938. In 1939 she attended Green’s Beauty School and became a licensed cosmetologist, which she would practice for over sixty-four years. Her first job as a cosmetologist was in Martin, South Dakota, and later moved to Rapid City and taught at Green’s Beauty School. In 1942 she moved to Los Angeles, California, then moved back to Rapid City in 1944. While in Rapid City, she owned and operated shops in Newcastle, Wyoming and Rapid City.

Winnie was united in marriage to Mark Trask on December 27, 1950. After their marriage they moved to a ranch in southern Meade County near the Elk Creek and Cheyenne River. Her husband Mark preceded her in death on February 21, 1983. She continued to live on the ranch until April of 2001 when she moved into the Silverleaf Assisted Living Center in Philip, but still called the ranch "home".

Winnie liked visiting with family and friends, spending time with her fifteen grandchildren, whom she dearly loved. Winnie loved doing things for other people, and was known for her generous ways..

Winnie loved her years on the ranch, being near her family and neighbors, raising her family, cooking, gardening and fossil hunting.

Grateful for having shared her life are her three children and their families, Patrick Trask and his wife Rose Mary of Elm Springs, and their children Matt, Nick, Al, Stephanie, Julie, Becky, John Paul, Joe, Austin, Gemma, Maria, and Celine; Terry Karrels and her husband Mike of Belvidere; and Tom Trask and his wife Shelia of Elm Springs, and their children Mark, Mick, and Tomilyn; two brothers Colin "Jiggs" O’Connell and his wife Ardene of Dickinson, North Dakota, and Dannie O’Connell of Creighton; a brother in-law Milton Trask and his wife Twila of Wall; several nieces and nephews; and all the "angels" at Philip Health Services.

Winnie really enjoyed all the many folks who came to see her in Philip, at the Silverleaf and Philip Hospital. She saw friends she hadn’t seen for many years, and that made her "retirement" in Philip a very special time for her. The staff at the Silverleaf and the hospital became her second family, and she loved each of them very much.

In addition to her husband Mark, Winnie was preceded in death by a grandson James Michael Karrels, her parents; a brother, James G. "Jim" O’Connell; her twin brother Warren O’Connell; and four sisters, Bonnie Bloom, Muriel Johnson, Mary Neil, and Lorraine O’Connell as an infant.

Winifred E. "Winnie" Trask, age 83, of Philip, formerly of Elm Springs, died Friday morning, October 3, 2003, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip.

Visitation was held on Sunday at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a vigil services scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial  was celebrated 10:00 a.m. Monday October 6, 2003 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip with Father Ron Garry and Father Dan Juelfs as celebrants.

Interment was 2:00 p.m. Monday at the Elm Springs Cemetery, Elm Springs, South Dakota.

A memorial is established.

Father Ron Garry

Father Dan Juelfs

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