Laura Belle Winebrenner

Laura Belle (Mangus) Winebrenner, age 94 of Hastings, MI went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday morning, June 11, 2021.  She died at home unexpectedly. She was born June 19, 1926, the fifth child of Russell Edgar & Mary Jane (Blough) Mangus.  Laura attended grade school in Indiana and graduated in 1944 from Albion High School. She married Walter Wayne Winebrenner on August 10, 1947.  After the ceremony, they drove to Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend college and seminary.  She went Grand Rapids Bible College for three years.

Laura was a faithful partner to her husband who was the pastor of small mission churches in several towns in Michigan over the years starting in 1953.  In April 1965 they answered the call from the Galilean Baptist Mission to pastor the church in Freeport, MI. Laura grew up on a dairy farm in Indiana where she learned the importance of hard work. After they were married, Laura and Walter always kept chickens, goats, a pony and a milk cow or two until the early 1980's when Walter decided to downsize the farm a bit. Her husband and children were her true pride and joy. Her most important mission in life was to make sure each one of their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren came to know Jesus as their Savior.  She was a small quiet woman, but could certainly be feisty at times. She was loved and respected by her family and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Walter Winebrenner, daughter and son-in-law, Sarah (Sally) and Michael Schantz, her parents, Russell & Mary Jane Mangus, brothers, James and Roy Mangus, sisters, Olive Osterlund, Violet Sackett and Mary Bales. She is survived her sons, John (Cindy) Winebrenner, Thomas (Ann) Winebrenner, James (Karen) Winebrenner and Daniel Winebrenner.  Daughters, Mary Winebrenner, Margaret (Tim) Nicholson, Laura (Allen) Strouse and Grace (Tim) Fish, 25 grandchildren and 36 great grandchildren.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Freeport Baptist Church or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI, Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 5:00-7:00PM.  A funeral service will be held at Hastings First Baptist Church, 309 E Woodlawn Ave, Hastings, MI. Visitation will begin at 10:00AM with the service to follow at 11:00AM. Rev. Allen Strouse and Rev. Ron Wood will be officiating. Interment in the Irving Township Cemetery. To leave online condolences visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net .