Winkowski, David Andrew
Born in Bessemer, Mich., on Mar. 4, 1918 Departed Jul. 17, 2016 David Andrew Winkowski passed away peacefully at the age of 98 surrounded by family Sunday July 17, 2016 in Weston, Wisconsin. David was born at home in Bessemer, Michigan March 4, 1918 to Edward and Leocadia [nee Slomkowski} Winkowski. David was united in marriage to Dorothy Agnes Rondeau May 31, 1941, at Saint Michael Church, Kahoka, Missouri. They shared 69 loving years together until her death July 4, 2010. In addition to his wife and parents, David was preceded in death by his brothers, Edward Jr. and Leonard, and his sister, Leonette Winkowski Kremer. David was raised in Bessemer. After graduation from high school in 1936, he traveled south to Marquette University in Milwaukee, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Journalism in 1940. He proudly and honorably served in the U.S. Army during WWII earning the Meritorious Unit Award with star and the Victory Medal. After his discharge, David and his family moved to Shorewood, WI, where he lived for the next 53 years. David worked many years as a sales manager for Sealtest Dairy Products, until Sealtest moved the operation out of Wisconsin. David then went on to work on the staff of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee until his retirement in 1985. David was a lifetime Chicago Cubs fan, his father was recruited by both the Cubs and White Sox. David attended the 1935 World Series with his mother in Chicago. He was hoping 2016 would be the year for the Cubs. He was also an avid basketball fan of his alma mater, Marquette University Golden Eagles, and a life-long Green Bay Packers fan. David loved to play cards —bridge, sheepshead, and cribbage; he continued to play cards until his death. David was athletic, he set the Bessemer High School Track Record, in 1936 for the 100-, and 220 -yard dash at the Upper Peninsula State Track and Field meet at Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI. He played golf for many years throughout Wisconsin, as well as in the Carolinas and Florida. A high point of his golfing was attending the 1997 Master's Golf Tournament in Augusta, GA, with his son and grandsons. He was a prolific gardener both floral and vegetable. His pride and joy every year were his home-grown tomatoes, which he willingly shared with friends, neighbors, and relatives. He was also an early entry into the concept of recycling, and for many years, his specialty was aluminum cans. David was a loving father and grandfather whose crowning achievement was the legacy of the "Crown Jewels" he and Dorothy left through their surviving children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His children include: daughter, Mary Kay Ehlers and husband, Michael, of Wausau; son, David O. Winkowski and wife, Lana, of Concord, NC; daughter, Janet Balyeat and husband, Thomas, of Ironwood, MI; and daughter, Amy DeBoer and husband, William, of Tampa, Florida. David is also survived by granddaughters: Heidi Cude and husband, Russ, of Grenada, MS; Dr. Sally Ehlers and husband, Dr. Atul Thakker, of Centralia, WA; Elizabeth St. John and husband, Andrew, of Brunswick, MD; Molly Milski and husband, Martin, of New Holstein, WI; and Jaimee Gregor of Hurley, WI. His grandsons include: Michael Ehlers, Jr. and wife, Susan, of Oilmont, MT; David O. Winkowski Jr and wife, Katie, of Wethersfield, CT; Daniel Winkowski and Jackson Cavenaugh, of Long Beach, CA; Andrew Gregor, Esq. of San Diego, CA; Max Gregor and wife, Ashley, of Woodbury, MN; Major James Scoville, PhD. and wife, Gillian, of Cape Canaveral, FL. Dorothy and David's great-grandchildren include: David Stadler, James and Peter Cude; Jacob Ehlers-Uber; Benjamin and wife, Shayle, Cassius, Rachel and Paul Ehlers; Nathaniel, Emily, Luke and Nicholas Milski; Megan Gwinn and husband, Tommy; Alex and Spencer Kornblum; Lydia Winkowski; Isabella and Adrian Scoville. David is also survived by sister-in-law, Nancy Larscheid, of Mequon, WI. The family would like to give thanks and praise for the outstanding care that David received at the Rennes in Weston, Wisconsin, and also thanks to his very favorite physician, Dr. Margret Anderson. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 25, 2016 at St. Michael Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. William Grevatch will preside. Friends may call on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at the church. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, 1302 Sixth Street, Wausau is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com
