Honestly, if you've ever lived in a small river town like Winona, you know the morning routine. It’s the smell of the Mississippi, a quick stop at Bloedow’s for a donut, and a glance through the Winona Daily News obituaries. It isn't just about morbid curiosity. Not even close. In a place where "Minnesota nice" is the law of the land, the obituary section is the town’s living record—a way to keep tabs on the neighbors who built the schools, worked the limestone quarries, or taught your kids at Winona State.
But things are changing. The paper isn't what it was in 1855.
Finding the Records (It's Kinda Tricky Now)
Searching for a specific name? Most people just head straight to the official website, but there's a catch. Since the paper is owned by Lee Enterprises, the digital experience is a mix of their local site and Legacy.com.
Basically, if you’re looking for someone who passed away recently—say, in the last week—you’ll find them listed on the Winona Daily News "Obituaries" tab. It’s pretty straightforward. You see a name like Jeremiah Charles Burke or Nicole Joy Bunke-Scheck, and there’s a guestbook where you can leave a note.
But if you’re digging into family history? That’s where the real work begins.
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For the deep dives, you’ve got a few better options than just scrolling forever:
- Winona Public Library: They have a digital microfilm reader. It’s old school but effective. If you’re a Minnesota resident, they usually don't even charge you for the request. If you're out of state, it’s a measly two bucks.
- Winona County Historical Society: They have a massive index of cemeteries and newspaper files. Note that they’re occasionally closed for "exhibit overhauls," so always call ahead at (507) 454-2723.
- Ancestry & GenealogyBank: These are the paid routes. GenealogyBank actually claims that 95% of their records aren't found anywhere else online. Whether that's marketing talk or not, they do have a solid chunk of the paper’s 150-year run.
The Cost of Saying Goodbye
Putting an obit in the paper isn't free, and the price has been a bit of a moving target lately. Currently, the "starting at" price through Legacy for the Winona Daily News is around $35, but let's be real: once you add a photo and a decent life story, that number climbs fast.
Some regional papers nearby charge a flat $60 for a couple of publications, but for Winona, it’s mostly based on length.
Pro Tip: Most local funeral homes, like Fawcett Junker or Watkowski-Mulyck, will handle the submission for you. They’ll bill it directly to the funeral costs, which saves you the headache of dealing with the newspaper’s ad department during a rough week.
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A Paper in Transition
The Winona Daily News is the second-oldest continually running paper in Minnesota. That’s a huge legacy. However, if you haven't picked up a physical copy lately, you might be surprised. Since June 2023, they only print on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
The delivery shifted to the U.S. Postal Service, too. No more kids on bikes throwing the paper onto your porch.
Because of these shifts, the Winona Daily News obituaries have become a digital-first product. The paper now leans heavily on its partnership with the La Crosse Tribune and reprints from the Minnesota Star Tribune. While some folks miss the "good old days" of a thick daily broadsheet, the online archives are actually much easier to navigate for researchers than the old stacks of yellowing newsprint.
Why We Still Read Them
There’s a nuance to Winona obits that you don't get in the big city papers. You’ll see mentions of local haunts like the Lakeview Drive-In or stories of people who spent 40 years at Peerless Chain.
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It’s about community glue.
If you're trying to track down a record from the mid-20th century, remember that the paper was actually called the Republican-Herald until 1954. If you search the "Winona Daily News" for a 1940 record, you might come up empty. You have to search by the historical title.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
- For Recent Deaths (2020–2026): Use the Winona Daily News website directly. Use the "Last Name" filter rather than the search bar, which can sometimes be finicky with spelling.
- For Genealogy (1855–1976): Head to the Winona Newspaper Project hosted by Winona State University. It’s free and honestly a goldmine for local history.
- For Hard-to-Find Records (1977–2010): This is the "gap" period where digital records are spotty. Your best bet is the Winona Public Library’s obituary request form. They’ll search a seven-day window around the date of death for you.
- When Writing One: Keep it focused. Verify the spelling of every single surviving grandchild. It sounds small, but that's where the most painful errors happen.
The landscape of local news is shifting, but the need to remember hasn't changed. Whether it’s on a screen or a printed page, these notices remain the heartbeat of Winona’s history.