Winnie Mann passed away June 17, 2024, at the Central Todd County Care Center of Clarissa, MN at the age of 76.  A Memorial Service will be held for Winnie at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, July 2, 2024,  at the Central Todd County Care Center. 

Winnifred ‘Winnie’ Eileen Mann was born April 22, 1948, in Long Prairie, MN to Ernest and Norma (Anderson) Mann. Winnie grew up in Clarissa. Following graduation, she joined a local circus and became an elephant caregiver and an all-around helping hand. The circus years were hard physically, but during this time, Winnie discovered her love for all animals, especially her dear elephant, Rosie. Winnie and Rosie spent many years together traveling primarily in Minnesota, and the Dakota’s. Winnie often spent nights on a bunk with Rosie to keep the locals from getting too close. When Rosie passed, her skeletal remains were donated to the Science Museum of Minnesota, where she was proudly displayed for many years. Winnie regretted never being able to see her on display. When winter came and the circus went dormant until the next spring, Winnie lived with the owners on a farm near Dalton, MN. The family took her in as their own, where she continued to care for Rosie and many other circus animals.

Winnie also had a soft spot for dogs and every cat she ever met. After moving back to Clarissa to care for her mom, Winnie turned their summer kitchen into a cat haven, no cat or kitten was ever turned away. Winnie would sit outside several times a day with her kitty army, or they would follow her from flower bed to flower bed, begging for attention. Winnie could grow any perennial she desired but took great pride in her 100-year-old rose bush. Every fall, she carefully pruned and covered it and waited patiently for it to show its signs of life in the spring. When it did, she cared for it like a newborn baby, never letting a day go by without some sort of attention. Winnie was an avid reader, her house was piled high with books, magazines, and local papers, she also followed the British Royal Family news, especially Princess Diana, and had many collectibles of her.

Later in life, Winnie’s body was worn from the years of physical work and her inability to do the things she loved became more of an obstacle, she moved into independent living at the Clarissa Care Center. Winnie was never one for being tied down, or following the norm so this was a hard adjustment for her. She was happy to have Shadow, her long haired cat with her in all the changes. As things declined for Winnie, she and Shadow moved into assisted section at the Care Center and began to enjoy things again, like bingo, card games and coffee hour (sweets hours to Winnie).

Winnie is survived by her brother, Sheldon (Mary) Mann, as well as nephew & nieces, Rob (Laurie) Mann, Shari (Steve) Mann & Sondra (Eric) Mann. She is preceded in death by her parents, Erny & Norma Mann; & her circus family, Byron and Phyllis Osander.