Richard G. "Lefty" Winter 1926-2013

WINTER, LAFRENZ, HEINSMA

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 2/19/2013 at 10:11:41

Sioux City Journal
13 January 2013

SIOUX CITY | Richard G. "Lefty" Winter, 86, of Sioux City passed away Jan. 9, 2013, at Embassy Care Center in Sergeant Bluff, after a two-month battle with cancer.

Services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Morningside Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Paul Andell officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., and a parish vigil service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Lefty was born Feb. 1, 1926, in rural Lyon County to Peter and Mary (LaFrenz) Winter. He grew up in Rock Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Wilson High School. Lefty served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. He started his career with Northwestern Bell in Rock Rapids and was transferred to Sioux City in 1952.

On Nov. 28, 1952, he married Louise Heinsma in Rock Rapids. They are the parents of four children, Nancy, Tim, Todd and Troy. Lefty retired from Northwestern Bell in 1983 after 37 years. In 1986, he went to work for Finley Engineering of Slayton, Minn., as a part-time employee. He was with them for 17 years, retiring for the second time in 2003.

In his early years, he played semi-pro baseball in the Rock Rapids area. He bowled in several bowling leagues and also played league pool. He was a member of the Pioneers and Morningside Country Club.

Lefty and Louise celebrated their 60th anniversary with a family reunion at Lake Okoboji this past July. He loved having all of his family around him. He was so thankful that the reunion was held before he became ill.

He is survived by his wife, Louise of Sioux City; children, Nancy and Dan Bailey of Dakota City, Tim and Pam Winter of Haynesville, La., and Troy Winter of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tiffany Parson and special friend, Wes Webb, and her daughters, Haylee and Sophia; Trent and Kristy Davidson, and children, Madison and Bryce; Tyler and Ali Davidson, and children, Devon, Carlee and Taryn; Jessie and Chris Millen and children, Micah and Hayden; Ben and Kristie Winter and son, Clay; and Sarah and Dustin Myhaver and daughter, Ellie; sister, Leota and Glen Foltz of Rock Rapids; and brother, Bill and Barb Winter of Springfield, Mo.

He was preceded in death by his son, Todd; parents; a sister, Betty; and two half sisters, Marie Witt and Millie Fairall.

The family would like to thank the staff at Embassy for your wonderful care. You all treated him with love and compassion.