Art, the youngest son of Michael and Zelemia (Bohnet) Winter, was born on March 1, 1930, at Lamona, WA. After graduating from Odessa High School in 1948, he served as an Army medic in the Korean War, stationed in Panama. Not only did Art medically care for his comrades, he spent much of his “off-time” cooking specialty meals for his patients, and it wasn’t long before the entire medical staff was lining up for Art’s cooking.
On July 3, 1953, Arthur and Dorothy Violet Albershardt were married. Art worked as a farmhand, a Saturday night patrolman, and a warehouseman for Odessa Union Elevator. Upon Art’s retirement, Dorothy was diagnosed with cancer and Art spent their remaining years together caring daily for her and perfecting his culinary skills, including the duplication of her famous potato salad, which is a “must-have” at all the family gatherings. Art and Dorothy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary by renewing their marriage vows at Zion Emmanuel Lutheran Church in 2003. Dorothy died in 2006.
Art thoroughly enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life. He had numerous successful and adventurous deer and elk hunting trips with Doug and Jack, and enjoyed pheasant and duck hunting during Janet’s elk seasons.
Art’s love of fishing also grew throughout the years. He enjoyed trout, bass, walleye and sturgeon fishing. Doug became a jet boat master; he and Art made countless steelhead and salmon trips on the Salmon, Snake and Clearwater rivers. He always looked forward to perch fishing for dessert.
Between fishing expeditions, Art spent countless hours picking gooseberries from his garden. His gooseberry pies and jams, along with his famous potato salad, quickly became the family favorites at every get-together.
Art was a winner of numerous blackjack tournaments; he and Doug continued to play and do well in the tournaments at Northern Quest. Art also is partially responsible for introducing the squirrels to Odessa.
Art was a genuinely warm, caring, gentle and kind-hearted man whom was highly respected and loved by all the lives he so greatly enriched. He exemplified God’s selfless, sacrificial and unconditional love towards his family. We know of God’s goodness through him. Dad taught us the value of life—to appreciate each and every day, that every friendship is a gift. We watched and learned to treasure the simple pleasures of life, from holding hands to enjoying happy hours around the campfire. Dad truly is the greatest man we could ever know.
Art is survived by his son, Doug, his daughter, Janet Winter-Woodburn, his daughter (in-law) Janene, his grandchildren Michelle (Winter) and Cody Morgan, Cole and Jennifer Woodburn, Kristen (Winter) and Rick Wimer, Nick and Jessica Winter; great-grandchildren Sierra, Shea and Roslyn Woodburn, Lucas and Levi Wimer, Blaise, Rose and Benaiah Winter. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Esther Greenwalt, Viola Fode, Pauline Leisle, Dorothy Schafer, his brothers Albert and Walter; and his granddaughters Tana Woodburn and infant Rebecca Winter.
Pastor Pierce Chadburn officiated at his funeral service at Zion -Emmanuel Lutheran Church on April 6; final prayers were spoken by Pastor Chadburn, along with the military gun salute, Taps, and flag presentation honoring Art’s service to his country, took place at his burial at Odessa Cemetery.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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