Earl Winter

Wednesday, February 22, 2017 5:58 pm

Earl Winter, 92, of Decorah, died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah. Memorial services were at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah, with Rev. Matt Larson, Burr Oak and Hesper Lutheran parishes, officiating. Eulogy was offered by Stacia Sexton. Organist was Rose Breitsprecher. Music was “In the Garden,” “Old Rugged Cross” and “How Great Thou Art.” Casket bearers were Earl’s grandchildren. Military rites were offered by Mabel, Minn. American Legion Joseph B. Lund Post No. 299. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Earl Henry Winter was born Nov. 6, 1924, to William and Minnie (McMullen) Winter in Waterloo. Earl attended East Waterloo High School and graduated in 1941. After graduation, he enlisted in the Coast guard at the age of 17. Earl served four years in the Coast guard during WWII and served in the Caribbean, Iceland and on the East coast as a radio communications technician. Earl returned home to Iowa after his service and attended Luther College in Decorah. He married Barbara Falck Aug. 5, 1948, in Harmony, Minn. Earl and Barbara farmed together for over 50 years in Winneshiek County. They had two daughters, Catherine and Ellen. Earl enjoyed farming, drinking coffee at the Country Express, reading books and sitting on his deck. He was on the North Winneshiek School Board for many years and was active with the Winneshiek County Republicans. He was a member of the Mabel American Legion, Joseph B. Lund Post No. 299, and was also a member of the Burr Oak Lutheran Church, where his grandfather was a charter member in the early 1900’s.

Earl is survived by his wife, Barbara Winter; two daughters, Catherine (Jim) McLain, Decorah and Ellen (Steve) Sexton, Decorah; eight grandchildren: Michelle (Aaron) Kruse, Decorah; Jaime (Mindy) McLain, Circle Pines, Minn.; Vanessa (Shawn) Burr, Fairview, Okla.; Alison McLain, Waukon; Megan Hageman, West Union; Shane Sexton, Stacia Sexton and Steven Sexton, Decorah; seven great grandchildren: April and William Kruse; Ashton, Wyatt and Brystol Burr; Jameson and Kaelyn McLain; sister-in-law, Harriet Roed, Springfield, Mo.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, William and Minnie (McMullen) Winter; four sisters-in-law: Sally (Allen) Sampson, Judy Doyle, Elsie (Archie) McIntosh and Frances Falck; brother-in-law, Charles Falck.