Winter, Louis 1922-2010

WINTER, BAHIKE, DREWES

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/1/2010 at 05:35:35

Louis Winter, 88
Louis Johannes Peter Winter was born May 9, 1922, in rural George to William H. and Dorothea (Bahike) Winter. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church in Boyden. His baptismal verse was: Matthew 28:19: "There fore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
Educated at St. John’s Lutheran Day School, he graduated from the 8th grade, working for his father and neighbors, saving to buy his own land. When many of his friends
were going off to war, he remained at home to continue food production. He also became engaged to Theora Drewes of Spring Valley, Minn., a teacher at the Day School.
One Sunday a visiting pastor challenged Louis to be one of the 10 young men needed to go to New Guinea to rebuild what the war had destroyed.
His applications to the Board of Foreign Missions of the American Lutheran Church, and the county, state and national draft boards were accepted and on Sept. 24, 1946, Lou left the flax-combining to his brothers and set out by train, ship and plane.
Theora followed him and they were married in Lae, Papua New Guinea on Aug. 13, 1947. For 22 years Louis served with Theora, eventually making their home in Madan, Louis managed a coconut plantation, filled in as printery manager; salvaged, designed, built, and relocated many houses, schools, hospitals, and churches; and serviced and repaired a fleet that included everything from WW2 weapons carriers to VW buses. Their 5 children were born during those years.
Louis and Theora returned to the United States and took up residence in Hastings, Neb., where Louis was employed by Good Samaritan Village in the maintenance department, and later by Martin Luther Home in the thrift store.
As a member of the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, he served in many capacities.
After the death of Theora in 2005, he lived mainly with his daughters in Missouri, enjoying until the end church, family, New Guinea contacts, a good joke and dinner! Strokes robbed him of his strength, ending his life the morning of May 31, 2010.
He leaves many to celebrate his life: children (Ron Schmidt of Modesto, Calif., widower of Karen, who died July 8, 2010; Esther and Janet Winter of Warrensburg, Mo.; Ron and Shirley Winter of Hastings, Neb.; David and Brenda Winter of Sutton, Neb.; grandchildren (Ryan and Amy Winter, Sarah and Amanda Winter, Jessie Winter, and Philip and Erika Schmidt); great-grandchildren (Kaitlyn, Whitney, and Elyzabeth Winter); siblings (Martha Winter, Arnold Winter, Ernest and Carol Winter and Fenna Winter of Iowa; Robert and Marj Drewes of Washington); relatives; and friends.
A celebration of Louis’s life will be held on July 24th at 10:30 in the morning at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Boyden.
Source: Sioux County Index-Reporter, July 21, 2010