Kenneth Jay Winkowitsch

Kenneth Winkowitsch, age 78 of Sibley, Iowa died Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at the Osceola Community Hospital in Sibley, IA. Burial prior to service on Sunday, January 18th at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, IA, with the family gathering at Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley and processing to the cemetery for an 11:00 AM committal service. Memorial service will be 1:30 PM, Sunday, January 18th at First Baptist Church in Sibley, IA, with Rev. Steve Stahl officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, January 17th with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Kenneth Jay Winkowitsch, age 78 was born June 29, 1930 in Brookings, SD. His parents were Philip John Winkowitsch and Jenny Luella (Boekholder). He was raised on a farm there, and later moved to George, Iowa where he also lived on a farm. He attended country school in rural George. Ken married Kathryn Cassens on June 20, 1952, in George, Iowa. They lived in Eagle Bend, MN following their marriage, moving to Allendorf, Iowa in 1955, Round Lake, MN in 1961, and Sibley, Iowa in 1967. A feed and seed salesman for many years, Ken enjoyed visiting with farmers and trips he and Kathryn got to take over the years with other salesman. In 1988 Kathryn suffered a brain aneurysm, and she has been a resident of the Country View Manor, in Sibley, Iowa for many years. Kenneth continued to live in his house in rural Sibley. Ken enjoyed farming for most of his life, having dairy cows, pigs, cattle and crops. He was hurt by the farm crisis in 1984 and had to scale down farming activities, but always managed to keep involved in farming to some degree. Spending time with family and his grandchildren and great grand-children was one of his delights. He also enjoyed fishing, visiting with people and helping others out when he could. Kenneth was a member of First Baptist Church, in Sibley, Iowa. He died on Jan. 14, 2009 at the Osceola Community Hospital after an illness. Ken is survived by his wife, Kathryn and five living children, (having lost five in miscarriage), Darwin (wife, Jo) Winkowitsch of Milford, IA, Dawn (husband, Layne) Gross of Indianola, IA, Janice (husband, Terry) Fitzpatrick of Anamosa, IA, Mary Mitchell of Sibley, IA and Daniel (wife, Luisa) Winkowitsch of Quito, Ecuador; ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; special friends, Tim Linn and Greg Leckband; two sisters-in-law, Dora Jean Winkowitsch and Shirley Winkowitsch; and brother-in-law, Donald Fluth. He was preceded in death by his four siblings, William Winkowitsch, Phyllis Jane Fluth, Edlyn Winkowitsch, Dale Winkowitsch; and a granddaughter, Joslin Winkowitsch.