In His infinite mercy, our Lord has called Richard Martin Winter, 78, to Himself in heaven. He entered eternal life on Friday, December 10th at St. Vincent's Hospital in Green Bay, WI. Richard Winter looked forward to joining his Lord in heaven after his recent afflictions, steadfast in his assurance of the Lord's grace.

Rich was born April 9, 1932, in Martin, South Dakota, and became a child of God at his baptism on April 27, 1932. He was the son of the late Pastor Venus and Lydia (Winter) Winter. He attended grade schools in Broken Bow, NE and Flint, MI where he confirmed his faith on June 16, 1946. "Fear not, for I have redeemed thee; I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." Isaiah 43:1.

Rich attended and graduated high school at Michigan Lutheran Seminary, Saginaw, MI in 1950; college at Northwestern College with his beloved Class of '54, Watertown; and Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Thiensville in 1959. In 1955/1956 he tutored at Michigan Lutheran Seminary and 1956/1957 studied at Oberursel Theological Seminary in Oberursel, Germany. During the 1959/1960 school year he tutored at Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn. He attended Black Hills Teacher's College the fall of 1960 and taught grade school at a public school in South Dakota the spring semester of 1961.

Rich spent over 60 summers since 1948 in South Dakota helping his uncle and cousin on their farm, primarily helping with their wheat harvest.

Rich received and accepted a Divine Call in 1961 to teach Latin, Religion, English and German, as well as Athletic Director and Head Football, Basketball and Baseball Coach for Manitowoc Lutheran High School. He was inducted into the Lakeshore Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. Rich continued as Athletic Director and teaching Latin and English as the years went by, handing off his coaching responsibilities for each sport as MLHS was able to call additional teachers for their staff. Rich retired after 36 years of faithful service to His Lord in 1997. He counted it as a privilege to serve his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ by example, leading his students to a saving faith in their Lord.

Rich met his wife, Karen Zink, at Manitowoc Lutheran High School and they were married June 13, 1964, by their fathers, Pastors Venus Winter and Waldemar Zink, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Kewaunee. Richard was a member of Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, Manitowoc.

Richard Winter is survived by his wife of 46 years, Karen; three children: Katherine (Lloyd) Fager, Janesville, WI; Thomas (Ann), Manitowoc; Carol (Jeff) Schoenherr, New Ulm, MN; thirteen grandchildren and seven great grandchildren: Matt (Kayla) (Tiegan & Ben) Fager, Appleton; Timothy (Brenda) Martin, Apollo Beach, FL; Nathan (Jennifer) (Camden & Levi) Fager, McFarland, WI; Hannah Fager, McFarland, WI; Jim (Skye) Norstrem, Janesville; Tim (Lisa) (Rayleigh, Paige & Lily) Norstrem, Janesville; Caleb and Kristin Fager, Janesville; Audra, Rachel and Nolan Winter, Manitowoc; Nathan and Laura Schoenherr, New Ulm, MN; one brother: Frederick (Alice) Winter, Batesland, SD; one sister: Barbara Buchholz, Tucson, AZ; one brother-in law: John (Louise) Zink, West Bend; two sisters-in-law: Margaret (Larry) Duffy, Centennial, CO; Judy (Dan) Gartner, Bradenton, FL; and a special aunt: Lyla Winters, Batesland, SD. Also surviving are numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, in-laws and his special South Dakota Uncle Bob.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 14, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, 916 Pine Street, Manitowoc. Officiating will be Pastors Paul Schossow and Nick Maglietto with burial to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc. Relatives and friends may call at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church on Monday, December 13, 2010 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to the time of services at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Rich's name would be appreciated to Manitowoc Lutheran High School or Immanuel Lutheran's Endowment Fund.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.

Rich's favorite Bible Passage: (Jesus said) "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself that where I am, there ye may be also." KJV John 14:2-3. We rejoice in the victory won for him by Christ Jesus, our Savior. With Rich, and all the saints in heaven, we await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.

To God be the Glory!

The family wishes to express their appreciation to Dr. Hutto and Dr. Saletta, as well as the 8th floor, ICU and IMCU nurses and staff at St. Vincent's Hospital over the past year for their kind and personal care. You will not be forgotten.