Rose Teresa Winston, 96, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, August 8, 2026. The second child of Manuel G. and Maria Ramirez, she was born on May 28, 1930, in Los Angeles, California, but spent most of her growing-up years in Riverside. After graduating from St. Francis de Sales High School, she attended Riverside Junior College. In 1951, she joined the United States Navy, completing boot camp in Bainbridge, Maryland, before being stationed in San Diego, California. It was at the San Diego Naval Base that she met her husband of 69 years, Johnny Eli Winston.
Johnny and Rose were married in Yuma, Arizona, in 1953 and welcomed their firstborn son, Andrew Michael Winston, in 1954. After Johnny’s separation from the Navy, the family relocated to North Carolina, his home state. Daughters Kathy and MaryGray joined the family in 1958 and 1960, respectively. Rose taught two years of Kindergarten in Knightdale, North Carolina, and one year in Raleigh, North Carolina. In 1970, the family moved to Overland Park, Kansas, when Johnny joined the home office of the American Polled Hereford Association (now AHA). Rose worked in the Shawnee Mission Public School System for more than 20 years and truly became the woman behind the man during Johnny’s years with the Hereford association. She hosted and entertained breeders, owners, and their wives from across the country, as well as local office staff and Johnny’s field staff. She quickly became known for her delicious cooking, especially her enchiladas and chile rellenos. She also traveled often with Johnny for his work, enjoying trips to Argentina, Hawaii, and nearly all the U.S. states.
Rose was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel G. Ramirez and Maria Perea Ramirez; her sister, Marguerite Ramirez; her brother, Victor Ramirez; her sister, Lucille Ramirez Baker; her niece, Linda Walker; her daughter, Sara Kathryn Winston Soderberg; and her beloved husband, Johnny Eli Winston.
Rose is survived by her sister, Marty Walker of South Bend, Indiana; her son, Andy Winston (Terry) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; her daughter, MaryGray Winston of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren Chrystal Winston of Kansas City, Missouri, Johnny Winston (Sarah) of Overland Park, Kansas, Carly Prewitt (Derrick) of Raymore, Missouri, Mindy Soderberg Pagenkopf (Kevin) of Douglass, Kansas, Andy Soderberg of Wichita, Kansas, Sarah Winston Davis (Michael) of Leavenworth, Kansas, and Jessica Sandy (Patrick) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; twelve great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She will be remembered for her huge heart, her home cooking, and her wonderful laugh, and she will be deeply missed by many.
A service will be held at Porter Funeral Home in Lenexa, Kansas, on Friday, August 28, 2026. Friends and family may visit at 10 a.m., and the service will begin at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Shawnee Mission Memory Gardens in Shawnee, Kansas.