Roy Arthur Winter

LAKE GOGEBIC, Mich. - Roy Arthur Winter, 82, of Lake Gogebic, was called home to the Lord on Thursday, May 28, 2015.

Roy was born Nov. 18, 1932, to Jesse and Hattie Winter in Kennan, Wis. Roy was the 10th of 11 children. Kennan was home to Roy until 1978, except for his time in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1954, Roy married the love of his life, Marilyn Ann Markley, and together they raised eight children, along with anyone else that needed a place to stay. Often we had to eat in shifts due to the number of cousins and their friends that would spend the summer on our farm.

After serving our country in the military, Roy and Marilyn took over the 80-acre farm where Marilyn was raised. In 1960, Roy and Marilyn were blessed to give birth to a special child, Marlon, their fourth boy. Due to Marlon's medical condition, Roy was forced to work several jobs while Marilyn and the two oldest, Francis and Randy, carried much of the chores on the dairy. Roy worked as a mason, logger, carpenter and also worked for Norco Windows. During this time some in the community helped the family. One business, Bader's Store, allowed Roy and Marilyn to charge their groceries for over one year. It wasn't until Roy and Marilyn sold the farm that they were able to pay the bill in full, 16 years later.

The generosity of others helped to shape how Roy and Marilyn raised their children. One example was when a neighbor had a heart attack. The Winter family baled his hay, paying for fuel and twine, for three years for free.

By 1978, the 80-acre farm had increased to 320 acres and became two farms, which were then divided between Francis and Randy, while the rest of the family moved to Marenisco, except for Alan, who was in Bible College in Anchorage, Alaska.

Roy moved to Marenisco to rebuild an old sawmill into a modern window factory for Norco Windows. Marenisco remained home until Roy's change of residency to Heaven. Roy, Marilyn and Marlon lived in Buhl, Idaho, where he managed a hobby farm on the Snake River for two years after retiring from Norco.

Roy's greatest joy came from helping others experience life to the fullest. No matter how he felt or how much pain he was in, he believed each day was a gift to be enjoyed. His greatest enjoyment came from helping or serving others, especially if it was his eight children, 24 grandchildren or 28 great-grandchildren. One principle that he instilled into his children is that if you are going to do something give it 100 percent, whether it was working or playing, which at times made Marilyn cringe. One of the last times was when Roy was in his late 70s, he tried to break the record for going the farthest down the gravel pit hill on an inner tube. I will never forget Marilyn's face as he flew over large jumps and wiped out and then stood laughing. I knew he had to be hurting the next day, but he never complained.

Roy also took great joy in helping others experience their "first," whether it was their first deer/buck or their first mission trip, preferably to Honduras with his son, Alan.

Roy was preceded in his earthly journey by his son, Randy; grandson, Shaun; brothers, John, Harry, Shirley and his twin, Ray, who passed on May 22, 2015; and sisters, Jean and Flora.

Roy left behind his wife, Marilyn, of 61 years; sons, Francis (Marcia), Alan (Heidi), Marlon and John (Stacy); daughters, Janice (David Nordberg), Colleen (Dave Rademacher) and Shelly (Mark Mettler); 24 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; brother, Donald; and sisters, Elizabeth, Jenny and Laura.

Cremation has already taken place.

The family will greet relatives and friends on Saturday, June 6, 2015, from 10 to 11:45 a.m., at Cornerstone Church in Ramsay, with the honor guard beginning at 11:15 a.m.

A celebration of Roy's life will follow the visitation at noon, with the Rev. Todd Winkler and Roy's son, Alan, officiating.

Following the service, military rites will take place at the church under the auspices of Wakefield American Legion Geroux Post 11 and Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 Honor Guard.

Lunch will be served at the church fellowship hall following the military salute.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family, with monetary gifts supporting youth mission trips, church camps and Seasons of Life Hospice in Woodruff, Wis.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., Wakefield, Jerald Rocco, owner-manager. Condolences may be sent online at lakesidememorialchapel.com.

Daddy you will be missed greatly but never forgotten for wherever we go or whatever we do you will have a part because of the values you not just talked about but lived!