Robert L Winter

Funeral services for Robert L. Winter of Jackson MN were held Saturday afternoon, Jan. 15, at the Salem Lutheran Church in Jackson, with Pastor Eric Hullstrom officiating. Robert L. Winter died on Jan. 11, 2005, at the Royal C. Johnson Veterans Administration Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. Burial was in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Petersburg Township, Jackson County, Minn., with military rites by the Jackson American Legion and VFW posts. Retired Veterans Service Officer Melvin Rasmussen made the flag presentation.

Casket bearers were David Barie, Dennis Barie, Gary Hodge, Heath Rasche, Randy Winter and Lonnie Winter. Nancy Pridie was an honorary bearer. Ushers were Myron and Irene Anderson. Melynda Tracey was the organist. Funeral arrangements were in care of the Sathe-Osterberg Funeral Home of Jackson.

Robert Lee Winter, son of John and Georgia (Walbridge) Winter, was born Sept. 6, 1925, in Petersburg. As a youth, he attended school in Petersburg. In June of 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served with the Bushmasters and was wounded while in the Philippines and was discharged with a Purple Heart from Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver, Colo.

On Nov. 24, 1946, he was united in marriage to Loretta E. Mekosch at the Salem Lutheran Church parsonage in Jackson. After marriage, they made their home in Jackson. Robert worked for Steiner Construction building homes and later for Mulligan Tire Service. After that, he and his brother, Elmer, went into home remodeling and repair. After his retirement, Robert and Loretta went to work for the Mission Builders, helping to construct new churches throughout the United States. Loretta died on May 17, 2000. Robert continued to make his home in Jackson.

Robert was a member of Salem Lutheran Church, where he had been active on the church council and president of the congregation. He was a member of the Disabled American Veterans where he served a term as post commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion where he had been a post commander. He was a member of the American Legion Drum Corps and the American Legion Bowling Team.

Robert is survived by his son, Thomas and wife Marilyn Winter of Milford, Iowa; a special friend, Rita Rasche of Jackson; three brothers, Lyle and wife Terry Winter of St. Paul, Elmer and wife Violet Winter of Jackson, and Leslie Winter of Jackson; five sisters, Iva Boughey of Laurens, Iowa, Helen Bramstedt of Jackson, Irma Barie of Jackson, Edith Winter of Jackson, and Viola Triggs of Estherville, Iowa.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Loretta Winter; two brothers, Howard Winter and Wayne Winter; and three sisters, Edna Bendixen, Velma Caviness and Pearl Winter.