family history Archives

Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity

By 4chionlifestyle | March 23, 2026

Dennis Winger’s history is one of hard work, Hollywood glamour, and scarcity. This contrast is continuity rooted in hard work, shaped by service. This is a story where long days of labor meet the shimmer of Hollywood, and the lessons of scarcity become the foundation for strength, gratitude, and connection across time.

Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity Childhood — Ancil, Bernice, Dennis, and Keith

wedding day mom and dad Mom Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Ancil, Bernice, Dennis, and Keith

Dennis Ray Winger Hard Working

Dennis Ray Winger (father) was born on October 30th, 1944, in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is the second son of Ancil Winger and Florence Bernice Wright. The favorite childhood pastime was placing pennies on the train tracks and watching as the passing train flattened them.

In 1955, the family moved to Orem, Utah. He attended Orem High School, where he played football and excelled in shop (Wolf & Wolf, 2025).

He got a job at Albertson’s, dusting shelves and pulling stock forward to help prevent theft in a high-theft area. One day, a gentleman took a paint can off the shelf and walked out. His boss said, “We cannot stop them from stealing.” He asked his boss to move him to bagging groceries because he did not enjoy the dusting position.

A simple coin flip with a friend over who would take Eileen Wake to the Welcome Back to School Dance. Denny won. This determined the beginning of his most important relationship, the one that would shape his future. That simple coin flip led to a first date at Brick Oven Pizza, and a school dance with the young woman who would one day become his eternal companion.

In 1964, he moved with his family to Hawaii when his father was transferred. Here he worked with a construction company. He missed Eileen and could not wait to get back to Utah. He returned 6 months later. They continue dating.

Their love grew steadily. After discussing marriage and selecting a ring from Zales Jewelry, the proposal came in the car at an A&W drive-in. A year later, Sep. 9, 1965, they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple, beginning their eternal journey together.

They shared 60 years of marriage and raised seven children before my mother passed away on December 1, 2025. My father lovingly cared for my mother for 10 years after her dementia diagnosis.

In January 1966, he joined the Army National Guard. He took the Armed Forces Qualification Test. This placed him in the combat medical program. He went to Fort Sam, TX, for medical training after basic training at Fort Ord, CA. He was released back to his Battalion in June 1966. He served 1 1/2 years with the Army Battalion. He was promoted to Private 1st class.

My dad was offered a job at Hill Air Force Base in 1968, after completing instrument training. He was hired to work on avionics. He worked at Hill Air Force Base as a civil servant until his retirement.

He was then discharged from the army in January. 2, 1969. He interviewed with Captain Waesche to join the Air Force Reserves. He joined the 945th Air Lift Wing in Jan, 1969. Hill Air Force Base stopped flying C124, thus ending the 945th unit at Hill Air Force Base.

The unit flew to McCord Air Force Base to check their air evacuation unit. On January 3, 1972, he joined the 40th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron. During his two-week tours, he evacuated Vietnam Vets from Japan and the Philippines, bringing them back to the US.

He served 31 years in the reserves. He says, ”I worked every weekend for 4 years.” When he retired, he had been promoted to Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, the highest rank for a non-commissioned officer.-commissioned officer.

This provided endless opportunities, even into retirement, benefiting his family. Provided enough income for my mom to stay home, and in retirement, endless benefits. My parents traveled together, seeing the world. I remember the fun of taking dad to the airport, having the plane fly over our car, and having dinner out on the way home.

traveling adventuresFirefly_Generate a collage 205070 Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Traveling Adventures

Military Service Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Traveling Adventures

Built on Hard Work and Sacrifice

My father is always a very hard worker. I learned from him to work hard and play even harder. From the beginning, he quietly carried the responsibility of ensuring the bills were paid, the family was secure, and my mother could stay at home. He made many sacrifices to make that happen, but he never complained. His strength was his foresight. He always seemed to know exactly what needed to be done to keep life steady for all of us.

Yet when the work was done, he became the father who gave us adventure. He would load three little kids into the yellow Rambler and set off across the western United States. Those trips were full of fishing, camping, exploring, touching the earth, seeing new places, and learning about the world around us.

One trip took us to the World’s Fair in Spokane. But he didn’t just drive straight there. We traveled through Idaho, stopping along the way to take in the scenery. We crossed into Oregon, drove up through the Columbia River Gorge, and went on to Seaside and Portland. I remember crossing a beautiful green bridge there and saying out loud, “Someday I’m going to live here.” And years later, I did, spending 17 years there raising my own children.

When we finally reached Spokane, the fair felt magical, so much to see, learn, touch, and experience. But his greatest joy was making sure we stood together for a photo in front of the giant Unisphere-Pavilion and the big gold Book of Mormon.

He took us to so many places: Yellowstone, the hot springs of Idaho, Jackson, Wyoming, and the red rock landscapes of southern Utah. Sometimes he would hitch the trailer to the Rambler so we could camp along the way and stretch the adventure just a little longer. He loved to stop on the side of the road whenever something beautiful caught his eye. For him, the journey was always just as important as the destination.

He worked more than forty hours a week at Hill Air Force Base, driving 70 miles each way. Most weekends, he would travel to Seattle before heading overseas as a medic in the Air Force Reserves. He journeyed to the Philippines, Japan, Korea, served in Desert Storm, the North Pole, and more. The list of places is as long as an atlas. Yet no matter how far he traveled, he always carried his family with him.

When the unit went out to eat, he stayed behind, knowing the meal might cost $40. My dad knew that $40 meant something different; it could feed his children. Therefore, instead of going out, he would order a military lunchbox to go. He saved the lunchbox to bring it home to his children, who raced for the treasure from dad’s journey.

As we journeyed to Phoenix after my mother’s passing, we enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner with my daughter’s family, and we walked around Little America to see the lights. The air was full of that familiar holiday feeling. We stopped by the North Pole display. That’s when my dad shared something I had never fully understood as a child. He said, “I used to have you write your letters early because I always had a mission near the North Pole. It was important to me to get that stamp on a letter.”

As children, we always wondered why we had to write our Christmas letters so early, and how they ended up with a North Pole postmark. Only now, as an adult, do I understand. While he traveled the world with the military, he was still thinking about us.

While on our road trip to Phoenix, we stopped at Zion National Park. He picked up some postcards from the gift shop. He mailed these postcards to his children. A tradition he started on his overseas journeys. We always got postcards from my dad’s overseas adventures. These small gestures are his way of staying connected while making sacrifices.

Audrey Hepburn: A Legacy of War, Survival, and Grace

Audrey Hepburn Connectivty A taste of family history Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Kathleen Hepburn-Ruston (Maternal 14th Cousin) was born on 4 May 1929 in Ixelles, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium. Her father was a Nazi sympathizer. When her parents divorced, she moved to Holland with her mother to escape the Nazi invasion and continued to study dance. But the following year, the country fell to German rule. As a young girl, she witnessed public executions, trainloads of Jewish families sent to concentration camps, and the shooting of her uncle.

The Nazis seized her family’s property, jewelry, and bank accounts, leaving them with nothing. Still, they vowed to raise money for the Resistance, so she performed ballet in secret shows. Behind locked doors and covered windows, she danced for silent audiences that did not clap out of fear of being discovered.

Children were less likely to be stopped by Nazis, so she became a messenger for resistance groups and smuggled secret notes in her socks. Meat and gas were scarce. When food ran out, she had to eat tulip bulbs and drink water to keep her stomach full.

Her severe malnutrition led to respiratory problems, jaundice, edema, and later anemia. And then on her 16th birthday, Canadian troops liberated Holland. The war was over, but it left a lasting impact on her. Severe malnutrition had stunted her growth and made it impossible for her to pursue ballet, so she turned to acting instead.

“I was asked to act when I couldn’t act and dance when I couldn’t dance… and do all kinds of things I wasn’t prepared for. Then I tried like mad to cope with it. Auditioning for roles she never got was frustrating. But after several minor roles, she landed her first lead. ‘Roman Holiday’ won her an Oscar for Best Actress. She is one of only 12 artists ever to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards.

Her iconic style in ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ continues to influence high fashion to this day. A UN (United Nations) Ambassador, she later retired from acting to help victims of war all around the world. Quote: ‘As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands. One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.’

In honor of her humanitarian efforts, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a hybrid tulip was created in her name.” (Goalcast, 2018)

Audrey Hepburn died on January 20, 1993, in Tolochenaz, Switzerland, from appendicular cancer.

Dutch Famine Children Firefly_GeminiFlash_7.5 inches × 2 inches create an image of dutch famine children holding empy plates by 50509 Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Children In Dutch 1944-45 AI-Generated

Chicken Noodle Soup Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity

Print Pin

Lucy Jane Bronson’s Chicken Noodle Soup W/ Mashed Potatoes

This dish, it may reflect a home-cooking tradition passed down for generations, rather than something with published provenance.

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword Chicken, CHicken Noodle Soup, Food, Noodle, Recipe, soup

Prep Time 1 4

Cook Time 4

Equipment

Ingredients

5 TBSP Butter
1/2 Medium Onion, diced
2 Stalks Celery, diced
6 Small Carrots, diced
1 Whole Chicken
4 Cups Chicken Broth
⅓ Cup Flour
2 Bay leaf
Salt and pepper to taste
2 TSP Fresh thyme (or dried)
2 TSP Dried parsley
Homemade pasta (see recipe below) May use premade pasta
Mashed Potatoes (see recipe below) May use premade potatoes

Mashed Potatoes

8 Large Russet potatoes or any starchy variety peeled and cubed in quarters
¼ lb Butter
¾ Cup Double Cream (heavy cream) Heavy cream is a great alternative
Salt and pepper to taste

Homemade Noodles

2 ⅓ Cup Pasta Flour May use all-purpose flour
3 large Eggs
3 TBSP Water
½ TBSP Salt

Instructions

Cooking Chickent/Broth In a large soup pot, add salt and pepper to a pot full of cold water, bay leaf, crushed peppercorns, parsley, and thyme. Watch for grayish foam or bubbles at the top. Use a fine mesh skimmer, spoon, or ladle to gently remove the oil/reminants on the top. Repeat every few minutes until the surface stays mostly clear. Cook chicken until done, remove chicken from the broth, and allow to cool. Strain the broth with cheesecloth/fine mesh strainer, and set aside. When the chicken is cool, remove the bones and skin, and shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a large pot, melt 5 tablespoons of butter and add the onion, carrot, and celery, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp parsley, salt, and pepper to taste. Sauté over medium-high heat until vegetables have softened, stirring frequently. Stir in 1/3 cup flour with the vegetables, mix well, cooking over medium heat, about 2 minutes. Add 2 cups of broth to the flour, blend well until no lumps. Bring soup to a low boil, stirring frequently, until soup thickens. Carefully pour the remaining chicken broth and mix until smooth as you bring it to a simmer on low heat. Cook for 1 to 2 hours on low; it may simmer, but not to a boil. Mound a serving of mashed potatoes onto the top of the chicken soup.

Mashed Potatoes

Prepare and boil the potatoes:
Peel the potatoes and cut them into quarters.
Place them in a large pot with heavily salted cold water, enough to
cover them completely. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer
until the potatoes are fork tender.
Dry the potatoes:
Drain the potatoes well and let them sit in a colander for a few minutes allowing the steam to evaporate. This prevents the mash from becoming watery.
Mash the potatoes:
For the silkiest texture, use a potato ricer or food mill to mash the potatoes into a clean pot. This removes lumps and aerates the potatoes. Avoid a food processor or blender, which can overwork the starches and make the potatoes gluey.
Add the salt and white pepper to taste, softened butter, and warmed cream to the riced potatoes using a spoon or spatula until the mixture is smooth and luxurious. Keep covered. Add to the soup bowls and serve.

Homemade Noodles

Mound pasta flour in the middle of a large cutting board. Form a small indentation in the center (like a volcano). Place the eggs and water into the well. With a fork, slowly incorporate the flour into the eggs until a dough forms.
Knead using the heel of your hand until smooth. Cover dough in plastic wrap and rest 30 minutes at room temperature
Form noodles, cut the dough into fourths. Flour a large work area and use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough to ¼ inch thick (or use a pasta maker). Use a knife to cut the dough into a ¼-inch strip
To cook, add noodles to a pot of boiling salted water and cook for 4-8 minutes, or until al dente. Do not drain using tongs; move pasta to the soup. Serve soup immediately

Food Scarcity

Food scarcity, starvation, and the struggle to meet basic needs are not distant tragedies. These are my family’s history. These are the stories carried in quiet glances, in empty plates, in the ingenuity of making something out of almost nothing. They are the legacy I come from, not just of hunger, but of survival.

Tiny buscuits Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Tiny Biscuits

Sego Lily bulb Firefly_GeminiFlash_full colored image of seg lily bulbs 110771 Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Tiny Biscuits

Effects of Food Scarcity on the Body

When the body does not receive enough calories or nutrients, it begins to conserve energy and sacrifice long-term health for survival.

Sudden and unplanned weight loss.
Loss of appetite and interest in food or fluids.
Uncharacteristic tiredness or low energy levels.
Joint pain, muscle aches, and other bodily ailments. (Action Against Hunger, 2024)
Dizziness, poor coordination, and poor concentration.
Difficulty keeping warm.
Reduced immune function.
The body slows metabolism and reduces non-essential functions.

Food Scarcity Through Family History

Palatinate Emigrants (Germany) 1703-1710

Causes:

1701-1714 Spanish War
1707 Hailstorm destroyed crops
1708 Cattle Plague

Timeline:

1708-1709 Coldest winter in a millennium Birds froze mid-air (Palatine migration to England, n.d.)
1709 Emigrated to Holland/England, suffered days of fasting
Food scarcity followed them to America (Franzrebjo, 2020)

Pioneer & Frontier (US) 1840–1890

Causes:

Isolation
Crop failure
Harsh winters
Limited trade routes

Family Food Traditions:

Tiny biscuits
Stretching food, adding bran to potatoes
Sego lily bulbs
Foraged greens (ChatGPT, 2026)

Scandinavia Faminae 1867–1869

Causes:

Extreme winters and rain, 1866
Repeated harvest failures
Cattle died of malnutrition
Severe grain shortages and soaring food prices

Families survived eating:

Bark bread (made from ground pine bark mixed with flour)
Boiled lichens, thin gruels
The relief laws required labor or moral investigation. (ChatGPT, 2026)

Dutch Famine 1944–1945

Statistic:

Affected 4.5 million
22,000 people died
In April 1944, rations were reduced from 483 to 268 calories.
Famine resulting in long-term effects on the descendants of the Hongerwinter generation (Föcking, n.d.)

Food Resources:

Tulip and sego lily bulbs boiled, baked, or ground into flour
Sugar beets
Potato peels
Grass or weeds
Flour made from ground animal fat (ChatGPT, 2026)

Why This Matters for Family History
Food Scarcity Shapes:

Many “quirks” in family recipes are adaptive survival behaviors
Cooking styles (small portions, simple ingredients)
Reservations to waste food
Adding potatoes to ground meat dishes to stretch food
Saving bacon grease (Grandma Ruth did this)
Watering down milk (a practice in my childhood home)
Using stale bread in puddings
Frugal preservation habits (grandmother used watermelon rinds in her fruit cake)
Health outcomes across generations
(ChatGPT, 2026)

Family Stories

Anna Maria Keller and her husband, Johann Martin Seubert

Anna Maria Keller and her husband Johann Martin Seubert (7th paternal great-grandparents), endured decades of food scarcity while living in Vorderweidenthal, Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany, in the early 1700s. War raged, famine spread, crops failed again and again, and food scarcity became a daily reality.

Spanish troops burned the homes to the ground, forcing families to shelter in the open earth beneath the sky. Hailstorms destroyed what little crops survived, cattle plague spread rapidly, and one of the coldest winters of the millennium further devastated food supplies. Families fasted for days at a time, with no bread or grazing available (Franzrebjo, 2020).

Amid these extreme conditions, the couple joined an estimated 10,000–15,000 Palatines who fled Germany, traveling first to Holland and then arriving in London, England. “The Palatines, most of whom arrived ill and destitute, camped out at first in parks and yards, in government-provided tents in Blackheath, Camberwell and Greenwich.” (House of Commons against the naturalizing of foreigners, 1693). London lacked sufficient food to sustain the influx of refugees, overwhelming local resources. Authorities ultimately determined that the Palatines should be resettled in the American colonies.

Approximately 3,000 Palatines, including Anna Maria and Johann, boarded the 3rd ship, Fame, for a 10-13 week journey across the Atlantic. Illness, malnutrition, and starvation continued throughout the voyage. (Jones, 1985).

The family of 4 arrived in New York on July 14, 1710. They were required to work producing tar and pitch for the British Navy to repay the cost of their passage. Instead of relief, they remained trapped in cycles of food scarcity and poor living conditions, suffering with delays in rations and ongoing vitamin deficiencies. (Jones, 1985) Anna Maria Keller (Birth 1685– Death 25 November 1789, age 104) and Johann Martin Seubert (c. 1674–16 July 1739) (Jones, 1985) Anna Maria Keller (Birth 1685– Death 25 November 1789, age 104) and Johann Martin Seubert (c. 1674–16 July 1739)

Voyage map Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Voyage map

Lucy Bronson

Lucy Bronson (4th maternal great-grandmother) died from scurvy in Ponca, Nebraska, during the westward migration of the Mormon pioneers. She remained in the area for an extended period while the company prepared to continue west. At that time, there was no access to fresh vegetables or other vitamin-rich foods, conditions that led to prolonged nutritional deficiency. Lucy “suffered the most excruciating pain and distress” (Bronson Boden, 1963, p. 53) as a result of scurvy. She endured the illness for several months before her death. Following her passing, members of the Ponca community removed her bones and laid them in the open, allowing her bones to bleach in the sun, described as being done “as a token of the hatred and animosity to the white people” (Bronson Boden, 1963, p. 53). Her death reflects the extreme hardships faced by pioneer families during periods of food scarcity, illness, and migration. Birth 26 June 1795 – Death 7 February 1847

1-Magdalana Pickle Durfee Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Magdalana Pickle Durfee

Magdalena Pickle

Magdalena Pickle (4th paternal great-grandmother) was born in Palatine, Montgomery, New York, the town where her second maternal great-grandparents settled when arriving in the American Colonies. This community was known for scarcity. Her great-grandparents settled here after emigrating from Germany. In 1850, she was preparing to cross the plains. She passed away before being able to make the trip. (FamilySearch, n.d.)

In the 1850 winter, conditions in Musketol Creek, Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie, Iowa, often left stores depleted by March–May. Food supplies included:

Coarse flour
Foraged greens
Limited meat
Some emigrants’ accounts included near-starvation rations. (ChatGPT 2026) Born 6 June 1788 – Death 17 May 1850 (Bennett, 1987, pp. 142–155)

Dorathea 'Dolly' Durfee4 Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Dorathea ‘Dolly’ Durfee4

Paulina Spink bigger-004 Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Dorathea ‘Dolly’ Durfee4

Grandma Dorothea “Dolly” Durfee and Paulina Clarissa Spink

Upon arriving in Utah, Grandma Dorothea “Dolly” Durfee (3rd paternal great-grandmother) and Paulina Clarissa Spink (4th maternal great-grandmother) relied on sego lily bulbs as a source of flour during harsh winters. Spink’s grandchildren recalled that they “would go to the Cold Springs south of Willard, where sego lilies grew as large as onions. They would dig as many as would keep fresh for any length of time. They made bread from them, dried and boiled them, and used the sego lily in many ways for food” (FamilySearch, n.d., KWJG-JHP; FamilySearch, n.d., KWJY-VKK).

Dorothea was known for her biscuits. Her tiny biscuits were made throughout her life and reflected her experiences with starvation. She cut them small and dainty, so that each biscuit was little more than a mouthful for a hungry man, a quiet reminder of the scarcity she had once endured. (FamilySearch, n.d.)

Dorathea “Dolly’ Durfee 8 March 1816 – 14 June 1885. Paulina Clarissa Spink 20 November 1800 – 8 December 1885.

Keturah Eliza Button and her daughter Lovisa Andrews

Keturah Eliza Button and her daughter Lovisa Andrews (3rd and 4th maternal great-grandmothers), endured many hardships on the journey west. The struggles did not end when the journey ended.

Lovisa’s history states, “She walked the greater part of the way. With her at [SIC] that time were her parents and two younger sisters, Olivia, 14, and Jane, 11. This family endured the hardships and sacrifices for the sheer want of necessities on the long, weary journey, arriving at their destination with the Richards Company in 1847.” (FamilySearch 2013)

Upon arrival in Salt Lake City, Keturah’s family knew the pangs of hunger. They planted potatoes because they would grow quickly and produce calories needed for survival.

When the potatoes were harvested the next spring, she was crying and singing over the good fortune. She cleaned and cooked the potatoes, then thickened them with bran and plenty of water. For the first time since coming to Utah, the little family sat down and ate to their hearts’ content. (Daughters of Utah Pioneers, n.d.) Lovisa Andrews 19 March 1830 – 17 July 1912. Keturah Eliza Button1 2 December 1810 – 17 December 1889

Dr Carolina Nielson Left Abusive husband when he married 2nd wife George Lawerence's Beef Stew Dennis Winger: Hard Work, Hollywood Glamour & Scarcity — Dr Carolina Nielson

Karna (Caroline) Mikkelson Mortenson

Karna (Caroline) Mikkelson Mortenson (3rd maternal great-grandmother) was born on January 25, 1842, in the small village of Hästad, Malmöhus (Skåne), Sweden. Sweden was experiencing severe hardship during this period. Major crop failures between 1867 and 1869, combined with long winters, short summers, and early frosts, led to widespread famine, malnutrition, and illness that claimed thousands of lives. In desperation, many people turned to moss, lichen, bark bread, and sego lily bulbs for sustenance. Illness was common, particularly among those who consumed bread made from lichen. (FamilySearch, n.d., KWJ8-KTF)

Caroline emigrated to Utah on June 13, 1868, aboard the ship Emerald Isle. Her journey was marked by continued food scarcity and hardship. Despite these challenges, she earned her medical degree after arriving in Utah and served her community with dedication to wellbeing and health. (Forchion, 2025)

Caroline passed away on March 27, 1923 (FamilySearch, n.d.).

Audrey Heburn

Audrey Heburn(14th maternal cousin). A People magazine article, it discusses Hepburn’s early childhood. “Towards the end of the war, Matzen writes, “[Her] once-plump face had grown thin, her eyes dull. Her wrists, knees, and ankles were swollen. She couldn’t sit comfortably, because her buttocks had withered away, and she couldn’t get warm no matter how many blankets she wrapped herself in. These were all signs of acute anemia and edema,” says Matzen. “Many young people in Holland suffered from severe edema, [swelling of the joints] due to lack of nourishment for weeks and months on end. . . Hepburn later described ‘how she and her older brother, Alex, went into the fields to find a few turnips, endives, grass, even tulips.’” (McNeil, 2019)

In the end, these stories, of hard work, glimpses of glamour, and seasons of scarcity, are bound together by something deeper: connection. There is more than recipes; it is resilience on a plate, memory in every bite, and a legacy carried forward, one table, one story, and one meal at a time.

A Taste of Family History on Our Lifestyle Blog

Resources

A.Goalcast. (2018, January 9). Story by Goalcast [Video]. Facebook and YouTube. https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/memories/KPHM-W3W

B. McNeil, L. (2019, April 4). How Audrey Hepburn survived near starvation during WWII: One slice of bread and watery broth. PEOPLE. https://www.people.com/movies/how-audrey-hepburn-survived-world-war-ii-starvation

C. Action Against Hunger. (2024, March 13). What is malnutrition and what are the effects?

Retrieved January 19, 2026, from https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/the-hunger-crisis/world-hunger-facts/what-is-hunger/what-is-malnutrition/

D. ChatGPT. (2026). ChatGPT (GPT-5.2) [English] https://chatgpt.com/

E. Bronson Boden, S. (1963, February). Bronson (Unpublished manuscript).

Carol

F. FamilySearch. (n.d.). [Karna (Caroline) Mikkelson Mortenson] FamilySearch. Retrieved June 1, 2025, from https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/memories/KWJ8-KTF

G. FamilySearch. (n.d.). Memories of Dorothea (Durfee) Garner (KWJG-JHP). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 10, 2025, from https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/memories/KWJG-JHP

H. FamilySearch. (n.d.). Memories of Paulina Clarissa Spink. Retrieved [May 11, 2025], from https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/memories/KWJY-VKK

I. House of Commons against the Naturalizing of Foreigners. (1693). Our Migration Story. Retrieved January 31, 2026, from https://www.ourmigrationstory.org.uk/oms/palatines-in-exile-german-refugees-on-the-fringes-of-britain?utm_source=chatgpt.com

J. Franzrebjo. (2020, February 8). Pfalzgeschichte. Franzreb Ahnenforschung. Retrieved January 31, 2026, from https://franzreb-roots.com/pfalzgeschichte

K. Palatine migration to England. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved February 22, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palatine_migration_to_England

L. Bennett (1987) discusses continued scarcity and its effects on mortality in the Winter Quarters region (pp. 142–155).

M. Jones, H. Z., Jr. (1985). The Palatine families of New York 1710: A study of the German immigrants who arrived in colonial New York in 1710. Universal City, CA: Henry Z. Jones.

N. FamilySearch. (2013, June 23). History of Lovisa Andrews. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/memories/KWNP-YN3

O. Daughters of Utah Pioneers. (n.d.). Keturah Eliza Button. In Pioneer histories (Morgan County DUP Collection). Weber State University Digital Collections.

P. Dutch famine of 1944–1945. (2026, February 17). In Wikipedia. Retrieved March 10, 2026, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_famine_of_1944–1945

Q. FamilySearch. (n.d.). Memories of Dorothea (Durfee) Garner (KWJG-JHP). The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved May 10, 2025, from https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/memories/KWJG-JHP

R. Föcking, D. (n.d.). Dutch Hunger Winter 1944–45. Environment & Society Portal. Retrieved March 18, 2026, from https://www.environmentandsociety.org/tools/keywords/dutch-hunger-winter-1944-45

S. FamilySearch. (n.d.). [MagdalenaPickle]. FamilySearch. Retrieved March 23, 2026, from FamilySearch Memory Page https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/memories/LBXQ-57W

T. Wolf, P., & Wolf, T. (2025, August 13). The History of Ancil Winger. FamilySearch. https://www.familysearch.org/en/tree/person/memories/KWZS-NWV

U. Forchion, T. (2025, June 4). George Lawrence’s beef stew: A taste of family history. 4Chion Lifestyle. https://4chionlifestyle.com/george-lawrences-beef-stew-a-taste-of-family-history/

Connect with us here:

Ancil Winger’s Ice Cream: A Taste of Family History

By 4chionlifestyle | July 4, 2025

When my granddaughter Ellie churned her first batch of homemade ice cream this week, I couldn’t help but think of my grandfather, Ancil Winger, and the magic that poured from his creamery decades ago. Family stories tell how his ice cream was served to the troops training for the atomic bomb mission, cold comfort in a time of tension. As a child, I remember visiting the factory, riding the frightening pull freight elevator to watch in awe as thick, velvety cream transformed into something joyous. We would eat chocolate-covered peanuts and a small cup of vanilla ice cream with a wooden spoon.

Ice cream face Ancil foodie dessert — Reading Ice Cream Face

Ancil's Ice Cream 4th of July Dessert holidy — Reading Ice Cream Face

Today, the tradition continues in new and tender ways. My son reads Ice Cream Face to his little ones and me at bedtime. Clementine, wide-eyed and full of wonder, tells me about her adventure with the neighborhood ice cream truck. Just before the Fourth of July, the girls enjoy Tillamook Ice Cream, a family beach tradition. These may be small moments, but they echo a legacy.

From military mess halls to sticky-fingered summer afternoons, ice cream has always been more than a treat in our family; it is a taste of family history that ties us together. One scoop at a time, we keep Ancil’s spirit alive.

Ancil Winger’s Ice Cream

Ancil Winger (paternal grandfather) lived a life marked by faith, family, and service. Born October 4, 1915, in Preston, Idaho, he was the son of Perry Manford (paternal great-grandfather) and Chole Ann Dixon Winger (paternal great-grandmother).

Young Ancil

Ancil states, “my father worked on the police department at night. Father was a good carpenter and he built a nice home for the family in Preston on a five-acre farm. The family moved in when I was one year old. The home was equipped with plumbing and electric lights. I remember my father would come home in the morning, and I would climb upon his knee while he ate his breakfast. I was four years old when Father died. He died of a ruptured appendix on June 15, 1920.” [f]

When Grandpa Ancil was just thirteen years old, he left home to work for a farmer named Clarence Talbert. He lived with the Talbert family, rose early to do chores, and attended school right alongside their children. Life on the farm was not easy, but Ancil was dependable. Later, he worked for another farmer, Harold Johnson. His days were tending to the animals, milking the cows by hand, and caring for the plants in every season. It built the strength and character we all remember in him.

Ancil's Ice cream — Ancil Making Ice cream

Ancil's Ice Cream World War II Foodie 4chon lifestyle — Ancil Making Ice cream

Ancil Goes to College

“When I finished high school in 1935, I had earned a scholarship from the U.P. Railroad. I went to the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. To help stretch the money, I hitched hiked [sic] to Moscow to go to school. It took me three days to make the trip. One time, I picked up a stranger and we hooked on a freight train, in the dark, at Weiser, Idaho. It was that evening that I learned that it never pays to gamble. I got with the wrong people and I lost almost all of my money. I only had thirty-five cents left. As a result, I went hungry for awhile.[sic]”[f]

Ancil Winger’s Ice Cream- For World War II Soldiers

His first job after college was with Arden Dairy, where he worked for two years. He was deferred from enlistment in World War II, because he was working in food. Ice cream became a necessary treat during the war. There was a ban on liquor for the troops on the ships; ice cream was the replacement. Ice cream shops floated in the water. This boosted morale.

During that time, he met the love of his life at a local dance. Their connection was instant, and they quickly fell deeply in love. Their engagement came soon after, a testament to their strong bond and shared dedication. As they were making plans for their future together, an unexpected change shifted the course of their lives.

Sudden Changes

Ancil got a job offer with Meadow Gold Dairy in Provo, UT. He quickly took the train to Pocatello. He was there to take Bernice (paternal grandmother) to Provo, UT. A 2^nd stop was Prescott, ID, for his mother. They stopped in Logan to get the marriage license. The 3^rd stop was in Salt Lake City, UT. They married on April 10, 1940, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Chloe was the witness to their marriage. (great-grandmother) [g] Together, they had three children: Dennis Ray, Larry Dean, and Keith A. Winger.

Meadow Gold provided well for my grandfather, Ancil. His success led to promotions that required the family to relocate, including a move to Hawaii. This is a tough opportunity for the family. They returned to the States 6 months later. He became the plant manager in Pocatello, ID. He received various awards for his ice cream.[g] He retired in 1978 from the Meadow Gold plant in Pocatello, ID. He continued as a consultant with Meadow Gold until 1984.

Ice Cream Retirement

They moved to Salt Lake City to care for their son, Keith’s M.S., and be closer to Dennis and Larry. He took care of his wife. She had several illnesses that required help. Keith and Bernice both passed within 20 days of each other in 1992.

Grandpa Ancil’s dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ was unparalleled. He served faithfully in many bishoprics, offering marriage counseling, organizing welfare efforts, and raising funds for church buildings and programs. At one point, there was no bishop’s office available, so he opened his home for interviews. My dad remembers sitting with other members, watching TV in the living room while they waited for their turn. [d] Grandpa Ancil served in the Church in some capacity his entire life, a quiet, steady pillar of faith and service.

He would often say to me, “You are my mother, you remind me so much of her.” I was born on October 19, her birthday, just eleven months after she passed away.

He passed away on February 22, 2006.

Edmund Durfee Ancil's ICe Cream — Edmund Durfee

Ancestor Edmund Durfee, Mormon Martyr

Edmund Durfee (paternal 4th great-grandfather) was born on October 3, 1788, in Tiverton—a small coastal town in the late 1700s known for its farming, fishing, and shipbuilding. Many families in the area, including the Durfees, were part of the colonial and early American fabric since 1660 when Thomas Durfee immigrated to America from England.

Marriage and Family

He met Magdalena Pickle and they married in 1810. They settled in Montgomery, New York. The 6 children were born here. In 1822, the family moved to Amboy, New York. He bought some land, built a home, and had a wonderful garden filled with maple trees. The 6 more children were born here.

The family moved west to Ohio, selling their home in Amboy, in 1830. Here was baptized into the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1831. In December of that year, he left for a mission for the church. He moved his family to Far West, Missouri. They were excited to join the saints. The dream was temple work and being eternally sealed together. Here, the temple site was dedicated, but never completed.

Expulsion of the Church Members

They moved once again in 1835 to Kirkland, Ohio. The Kirkland temple was completed, and Edmund was one of the few who placed the cornerstone. The last child, Nephi, was born here. They moved from Ohio as tensions rose around Mormons.

Therefore, they settled in Caldwell, Missouri. This was a dedicated county for the LDS church members. Tension grew when the church members went to vote. The governor soon ordered the expulsion of the church members.

They were driven out by violent mobs who invaded their homes, committed atrocities against women, and killed 17 men. All weapons—even household items like kitchen knives—were confiscated. Fearing for their lives and with no means to defend themselves, they fled in a state of panic.

Peaceful Living in Yelrom, IL

Therefore, in November 1838, Edmund moved to Yelrom, IL. Soon they enjoyed peaceful living and their religion for a few years. President Joseph Smith was martyred in 1844, bringing new uprisings and tensions between local communities and church members.

Murdered for A Gallon of Whiskey

“In September 1845, mobs ransacked and burned his home, barn, and grain, forcing him to escape with his family to nearby Nauvoo. A month later, Edmund joined other displaced Mormons to recover their crops in Morley’s Settlement.
The property of Solomon Hancock became the central location for that effort. Sometime near midnight on November 15, 1845, a mob set fire to one of Hancock’s haystacks. Edmund and others rushed out to fight the fire and save a nearby barn from burning. A whistle was heard and the ambush began. The mobsters emerged from the darkness and began firing. Edmund was shot and immediately died.
Apparently, the ambush was a form of sport for the mobsters; a gallon of whiskey was awarded to the first one who could kill a Mormon. After Edmund fell, the attackers melted back into the darkness of the night.”[h]

This family would suffer another loss when their mother passed May 17, 1850, at Council Bluffs, waiting to walk to Utah.[i]

Durfee’s Maternal and Paternal Connection

Ida Pauline Nicholas (My 2nd maternal great-grandaunt) married Henry Dennison Durfee. The connections to Ida are: William Jones (2nd maternal great-grandfather on my grandmother’s side) married Ida’s sister, Mary Ann Nicholas. George Ward (2^ndmaternal great-uncle on my grandfather’s side) married Ida’s sister, Eunice Alice Nicholas. On my paternal side, Edmund (paternal 4^th great-grandfather) and his daughter Dolly Durfee (paternal 3^rd great-grandmother) connect the paternal side. The maternal and paternal families are related through Thomas Durfee (9^th paternal Great-grandfather).

All Roads To Thomas Durfee

Thomas was born in 1643 in Exeter, Devonshire, England. Immigrating to America, settling in Rhode Island as an indentured servant. He is contracted with Peter Tallsman. He has several run-ins with the law. One incident, “he was convicted of a breach of contract with his employer, Peter Tallman, and, later that year, of participating in a scandalous relationship with Ann Hill Tallman, a woman 10 years his senior and the wife of his employer.” [e]

Ann (9th paternal great-grandmother) refused to return to her husband, Peter Tallman, “he was known to be a disagreeable and volatile man. When Ann told the court that she would rather die than return to her husband, the court granted Peter Tallman a bill of divorce.”[e]

Ann and Thomas live in a common-law marriage and have 5 more children; Peter and his 2nd wife raised their first child. “Thomas and Ann were convicted of fornication and were sentenced to either lashes with a whip or a monetary fine. Thomas paid the fines.”[e] He was admitted a freeman of the town of Portsmouth, I.I., May 6, 1673.

A Man of Honor: Thomas Durfee

Above all, he became a man of honor and nobility in the community; Thomas was the town deputy. The Durfees were highly respected in the early colonies of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. “Numerous of Thomas and Ann’s descendants fought in the Revolutionary War, one of whom, Col. Joseph Durfee, was an officer in the Continental Army. Joseph served under General George Washington in battles against British General William Howe. Over the years, Durfee served on various town councils and in the state legislature. Two were prominent judges, including one who served on the Rhode Island State Supreme Court.”[l]

Ann Durfee's Story Ancil WInger's Ice Cream — Ann Durfee’s Story [h]

Thomas Marries

On August 2, 1698, it is mentioned that Thomas has a wife, Deliverance Tripp. They had 2 daughters. Thomas passed on July 12, 1712. His will stated, “To wife Deliverance, and two daughters, rest of land; to wife, all movable estate. A Negro slave called Jack for life and at her death value of said slave shall be equally divided between 2 daughters.”[j]

“It was a common practice for slaves to adopt the surname of their owners, hence Jack was known as Jack Durfee. Wills and estates inventories of early residents list slaves, bequeathed to the heirs of the deceased, along with other property. Slavery was abolished in Rhode Island in 1783.”[k] Rhode Island had the highest proportion of slaveholding households in New England. [chatGPT] Today, this term is considered outdated and offensive. We include it here only as a historical reference while acknowledging Jack’s full humanity and the injustices.

Ruth's Ice Cream Ingredents Ancil — Ice Cream Ingredients

Making Ice Cream Ancil dessert summer treat — Ice Cream Ingredients

Print Pin

Ruth’s Ice Cream

Ruth loved ice cream—it was always a special treat in a cone when we visited. This homemade recipe captures the sweetness of those summer evenings and the joy she shared in every scoop.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword dessert, family recipe, ice cream, Vanilla ice cream

Prep Time 3

Cook Time 2

Servings