Rebecca “Becky” Lynn Tienter Wisted

Rebecca “Becky” Lynn Tienter Wisted passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Becky was born on November 17, 1962, in Lake City, MN to Gordon and Jean (Baker) Tienter.

Becky has called Winona her home for 25 years, but before then she lived in so many wonderful places that had shaped her in many ways. Some more notable communities are Frontenac, MN, Elgin, MN, Forest City, IA, Waverly, IA, Faribault, MN, Burnsville, MN and Apple Valley, MN.

Becky met the love of her life at Waldorf College in Forest City, IA. She wanted to find a man from Europe or from far away from where she grew up. She saw Eric walking across campus in a Norwegian style fishing hat and the rest was history. She later found out that he was in fact from a town 45 minutes from her home. Eric graduated from a class that was the same size as her hometown. After their freshmen year, Eric went to NDSU to pursue chemistry. Becky went on to Wartburg College in Waverly, IA to study Music Therapy. They remained in a long-distance relationship for the remainder of their college years. But that didn’t stop them from getting together through long car rides in Becky’s red-hot rod or hitch-hiking (in Eric’s case).

They spent a lot of time together hunting, fishing, road-tripping and camping. Becky tended to have the job of chasing squirrels up trees for Eric to shoot and she ended up carrying them up and down the bluffs. Eric proposed to Becky in the basement of her family home in Elgin and gave her the engagement ring later as they were driving from Faribault to Elgin – just in time for hunting season. They got married on April 13,1991 at River Hills Methodist Church in Burnsville, MN.

On August 15, 1993 they welcomed their first born, Marijean, and five years later welcomed their son, Christopher on November 27, 1997. In 2001, the Wisteds moved to Winona where Becky decided that she wanted to make a difference in the community. And a difference she did make. Becky began volunteering at Central Methodist Church (Wesley UMC) by playing piano and singing in the praise team. That later turned into being hired as the praise team leader and children ministry coordinator.

She was hired at the Winona Family YMCA as the Kids Corner director where she lovingly worked for 24 years. She welcomed each family with open arms and often told the parents to take their time and sit in the hot tub/sauna. During Covid Becky recorded videos of her circle times where her Y Kids watched Ms. Becky sing. Her circle times were legendary – often including the songs “Bear Hunt”, “Slippery Fish” and “Jesus Loves Me”. Her enthusiasm when she sang was infectious and very memorable.

Becky had a huge passion for making sure every child was safe. She was on the board for ASAP- where she planned “teen nights” at the Y and was an advocate for the safe disposal of medications. Becky was also an actress in the Cemetery Walk for many years where she portrayed many influential people of the Winona Community. She absolutely loved being a part of that event and looked forward to the yearly themes.

Mama Becky welcomed every child that walked into her front door and treated them like her own children. She made sure everyone was fed with lasagna nights before finals week, her biscuits and gravy were iconic, and she encouraged more desserts (because they are small) and made enough food to feed a small army. No one went hungry in her household.

Becky was a woman with strong faith often saying, “God’s got this,” and “pray about it.” She was someone who was authentic in her care of people. She had the best advice, best stories, best dance moves, and was a strong advocate for supporting local businesses in Winona.

Becky is preceded in death by her parents Gordon and Jean, father-in-law Elmo Wisted, mother- in-law Mary Lou (Christopherson) Wisted, sister-in-law Anita (Miller) Wisted, sister-in-law Bev (Wisted) Hoenk and brother-in-law Dale Hoenk, and grandbaby “Bean” Schaben.

She is survived by her loving husband of 35 years Eric Wisted; daughter, Marijean (Wisted) Schaben, son-in-law Chris Schaben, and grand cat, Houston; son, Christopher Wisted; their dogs, “the Hooligans” Brutus and Stella; sister, Debbie (Tienter) and brother-in-law Al Ringer; brother, Denny and sister-in-law Sherryl (Olson) Tienter; in-laws, Jeff Wisted and Dr. Pamela McGrann, Judi (Wisted) Simons and Jeff Simons, Barb (Wisted) Spencer and Steve Spencer; and so many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 12:30pm at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Winona. Visitation will be Friday, September 18, from 4-7pm at the funeral home, and will continue Saturday prior to the service from 11:00am-12:30pm at the funeral home. Per Becky’s wishes, guests are encouraged to wear her favorite color purple to the service.

Memorials are preferred to the Becky Wisted Dream Maker Scholarship Program.