Steff Winter-Harnisch

Stephanie Ann Winter – beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend – passed away on October 21, 2025, at age 38, from late-stage ALS.

Born and raised in Santa Fe, NM, Steff graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington, where she played Division I water polo all four years and served as co-captain her senior year.

Known affectionately as Steff, Steffi, Princess, Stick, Sticky, Bobby, and Dragon, she will be remembered for her humor, intelligence, courage, creativity, and joy. She loved deeply, made others laugh effortlessly, and allowed those around her to be wholly themselves. A shining being, she never let ALS diminish her spark. Even in the hardest moments, she remained fiercely alive, wise, and funny.

Steff is survived by her wife, Molly Winter-Harnisch; parents Jay and Jane Winter; brother Grant Winter (sister-in-law Ali, nephews Paul, Michael, and Joshua); sister Lauren Hemphill (brother-in-law Jeff, nephews Jacob, Lucas, and Jon); parents-in-law Peggy and John Harnisch; sister-in-law Helen Harnisch (Rusty Hillard); sister-in-law Theresa Grimison (brother-in-law Matt, nephews Jack and William); sister-in-law Kristie Harnisch (nephew Grayson and nieces Madeleine and Michal); and many treasured friends and loved ones. She is preceded in death by her brother-in-law Marty Harnisch.

Steff’s heart was rooted in community, especially Her ALS Story, a support group for young women with ALS, and her cherished AA and Al-Anon communities.

A memorial service will be held at La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, NM, at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, December 12, 2025, as well as online, zoom link to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one or several of Steff’s favorite ALS organizations: Her ALS Story https://heralsstory.org/donate; Compassionate Care ALS https://ccals.org/; Team Gleason https://teamgleason.org/; Project ALS https://projectals.org/; ALS Therapy Development Institute https://www.als.net/donate/ -- ALS is underfunded, not incurable!