John Winter

George, IA

     John Winter, age 94 of George, IA passed away on Monday, September 24, 2018 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA,

     Funeral services will be10:30 AM, Friday, September 28^th at First Baptist Church rural George, IA, with Pastor Mike Hagan officiating.  Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

     Visitation will be Thursday, September 27^th from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, with family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home of George.

     John was born February 13, 1924 on the family farm northeast of George, IA, the son of George and Tena (Jurrens) Winter.  He attended Grant Township country school and worked with his father and brothers on the family farm.

     John was united in marriage to Bernice L. Freese on February 23, 1945.  The couple began their married life living near First Baptist Church for a short time. They moved to the home place northwest of Little Rock, IA where they farmed for many years. John sold Archer Oil for 40 years, shelled corn and sold seed corn for P.A.G. Four children were blessed to this marriage; Janelle, Glenn, Norman and Melvin. In 1985, John and Bernice moved to a home in George, IA and lived there for the rest of their married life.  While living in George, John and Bernice delivered Meals on Wheels for several years.  John’s wife, Bernice, passed away on August 5, 2010.  John continued to live in George until he moved to Premier Estates in Rock Rapids, IA.  In September of 2017, John entered Rock Rapids Health Centre. 

     He was an active member of the First Baptist Church, rural George, serving as Deacon and teaching Sunday School for many years.  He was also a member of Farm Bureau and George Kiwanis.  He enjoyed farming, repairing his own equipment, tinkering in his shop and attending auctions. John and Bernice always enjoyed attending their children and grandchildren’s activities.

     On September 24, 2018 John passed away at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA He is survived by his daughter, Janelle (Roger) Kooiker of Rock Rapids; sons, Glenn (Audrey) Winter of Little Rock, IA, Norman (Gwen) Winter of Ellsworth, MN and Melvin (Karen) Winter of Little Rock, IA; grandchildren, Gina (Brad) Woodard, Nolan Kooiker, Ross (Amber) Kooiker, Erin (Jarrad) Lehman, Tara DeNoble and Teresa (Tim) Farnsworth; Lynelle Winter, Monica Winter, Adrienne (Ben) Reitsma, Melia (Greg) Towne; great-grandchildren, Erika and Caden Woodward; Isaac, Caleb and Lucas Kooiker; Arrielle (Austin) Scheibler, Christopher and Joesy DeNoble; Elisabeth, Alaina and Olivia Farnsworth; Ava, Shae and Drew Reitsma, Maryn Towne; great-great grandchildren, Dawson, Daxten, Madelyn and Evelyn Scheibler; three sisters-in-law, Viola Krull of Sibley, IA, Elaine Freese of George, IA and Erma Winter of Sibley, IA; one brothers-in-law, Vernon (Sandra) Freese of Worthington, MN; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family. 

     He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Bernice Winter; parents, George and Tena Winter; a great-grandchild, Mercedes DeNoble; three brothers, Henry, John and Harm; three sisters, Mary Stratman, Henrietta Schneidermann and Helen Arends.