Lauren Dianna Winston

Our beautiful Lauren Dianna Winston (Ritter) - devoted mother to Alec and Parker, loving wife of Tessa Winston, and a compassionate nurse who touched countless lives - was tragically taken from us in a car accident with her beloved dog Mikko on Thursday, June 4, 2026, near Ordway, Colorado. At just 31 years old, Lauren lived a life defined by her fierce love for her family and her unwavering dedication to helping others.

Lauren was born on August 9, 1994, at Memorial Central Hospital in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Dave and Jill Ritter. Lauren was always motivated and driven to serve others, and that quality is reflected in all she did in life. She graduated from Swink High School in 2013 as co-valedictorian. As a high school student, Lauren was very active in numerous clubs and organizations. She served as an FCCLA State Officer for two years and participated in numerous all school musicals and plays. Lauren organized and participated in countless community service projects, one of which was a very successful donation drive in June of 2012 to help victims and first responders of the Waldo Canyon Fire. Lauren continued her education at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, where she met the love of her life Tessa Winston. They were married on May 9, 2019, just a few weeks before Lauren graduated from the Helen and Arthur E. Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing Health Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

During her time in the accelerated nursing program, she won an award for ‘Outstanding Undergraduate Clinical Student.’ Lauren’s career as an outstanding nurse and leader brought her back to UC Health Memorial Central where she worked as an ICU nurse and Associate Nurse Manager for many years.

In August of 2021 Lauren gave birth to two perfect boys, Alec and Parker Winston. Being their mother was her greatest accomplishment and the one she was the most proud of. They shared a love of reading, playing outdoors, getting strong in the gym, and cooking together. Lauren’s passion, strong will, and unwavering dedication to everything she did can be seen through her children.

When Lauren wasn’t at work she enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved camping, spending time outdoors, attending sporting events (especially hockey), finding a sweet treat, escaping for a date night with Tess, and being anywhere she could read her kindle.

Lauren is survived by her wife, Tessa Winston, sons, Alec & Parker Winston, parents, Dave & Jill Ritter, brother, Brent (Cheyene) Ritter, and niece, Elise Ritter. She is also survived by her parents-in-law, Jon & Cami Winston, sister-in-law, Lexi Winston, grandparents, Sandy Ritter, John & Linda Polhemus, Francis & Sharon Winston. Lauren is also survived by aunts, uncles, & cousins, Dianna & Bill Milenski (Ali, Kay, and Chris), Shelly & Fred Grantham (Mark, Monica, Nick, Amy, Chris, Charlee, and Thomas), Sarah & Adrian Pacheco (Eli and Caden), and Josh & Amy Winston (Kaytlynn, Daniel, Kyla, Gabriel, and Hailey) and many friends who she considered family. Lauren was preceded in death by grandparents, David B. Ritter, Frank & Mandy Bravo, and cousin, Heath Grantham.

A celebration of Lauren’s life is planned for July 12, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. at Flying W Ranch, 3300 Chuckwagon Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Perez & Peacock Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.