Myrtis O. Winter (née Schroeder), beloved wife of the late Robert W. Winter; mother of Gretchen (Jim Brown), Karen (Dennis Tollas), Robert, Jr. (Michin), and Janet; loving grandmother of Daniel, Kristen, Otto, Walter, Violet, and Myrtis; devoted sister to deceased siblings Orville (Vera) Schroeder, Elva (George) Korn, and Robert T. Schroeder; fond sister-in-law to Inge Schroeder; and kind aunt to numerous nieces and nephews, died on Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Smith Village in Chicago, Illinois.  She was 97 years old.

Myrtis was a lifelong Chicagoan, born here on February 27, 1927, to Erich and Olga Schroeder. Her mother was a seamstress who taught sewing and piano to her children; her father was a butcher who owned a meat market on Ashland Avenue.  The family lived near 85th Street and Ada Avenue during her childhood, and they spent happy summer holidays at a small family cottage on the Kankakee River near Momence.  She graduated from Jones Commercial High School in 1945, and shortly thereafter went to work in the lab at Evangelical Hospital. She moved to the Rush Street area and attended Northwestern University to become a certified medical technologist.  Then she opened and operated her own medical laboratory--Ogden Hill Medical Laboratory--on the south side, where she specialized in making house calls on shut-in patients to collect specimens she later tested.  Visits to the lab were scheduled, too, for EKGs, allergy tests, and various blood tests, and then she prepared reports for the relevant doctors.  She ran Ogden Hill Lab for more than 35 years, was a Registered American Medical Technologist for 40 years, and served her profession as a leader in a variety of medical technology organizations.

Myrtis met her late husband, Bob, in the Northminster youth group at Fourth Presbyterian Church in downtown Chicago; they also were active in the 42nd Ward Young Republican Organization, where Myrtis edited the “Elephant Ear” publication.  They were married in 1954, and shortly thereafter moved to their home in the Beverly area of Chicago.  Following Bob’s death in 2004, Myrtis remained in the family home until 2020, when she moved to Smith Village.

Myrtis will be remembered for her love of music, poetry, elocution, and performance.  She played the accordion in the band as a child, and played the piano her entire life, including playing “Amazing Grace” at a Sunday afternoon Smith Village talent show last fall.  She had a passion for volunteer work in support of her children as well as her own interests.  She was a Sunday School teacher, usher, and counter at St. John the Divine Lutheran Church.  She served as a Girl Scout leader (she inspired many neighborhood girls!), was a member and officer of the Beverly Cotillion Dance Club (she loved to dance with Bob), and the Beverly Juniors Social Club (she coached and costumed many youngsters in the theatrical productions). She never forgot a family birthday or wedding anniversary, commemorating the day with a clever poem. Myrtis was a tireless advocate for her daughter Janet’s education and an enthusiastic supporter of Janet’s participation in Special Olympics programming, in the Special Recreation Programs at the Chicago Park District, and at Garden Center Services in Burbank.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, from 3:00 - 8:00 pm at Beverly Ridge Funeral Home, 10415 South Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.  Myrtis will lay in state from 9:30 - 10:30 am on Friday, May 24, 2024, at St. John the Divine Lutheran Church, 10511 South Oakley Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.  A funeral service will follow at 10:30 am, with Rev. Dr. Ike Nicholson and Rev. Dr. David Schmitt officiating. 

Interment will follow at Fairmount Willow Hills Memorial Park, 9100 Archer Avenue, Williow Springs, Illinois. A luncheon afterwards is being planned.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Janet’s longtime residence and workshop, Garden Center Services, 8333 South Austin Avenue, Burbank, Illinois 60459 (https://gardencenterservices.org/), or to St. John the Divine Lutheran Church, 10511 South Oakley Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60643.