Florian Winter

Florian Winter, age 87 of Waucoma, IA, died Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at his home. A public Graveside Service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, May 29, 2020, at St. Luke Catholic Cemetery, St. Lucas with Rev. Robert Gross officiating. Florian William Winter was born on October 6, 1932, to Peter and Anna (Kuehner) Winter on the family’s farm near Waucoma. He attended school at St. Luke Catholic School in St. Lucas, where he played both baseball and basketball; and was a member of the Class of 1951. After graduating, he moved to Dubuque, where he attended Loras College for a semester before taking a job with AY McDonald. Dubuque proved to be a smart move for Florian, for it was there that he met Eileen Gansemer. Friends introduced the two one night and the next night they went on their first date to a wedding dance at the Melody Mill Ballroom. Things took off from there, or as Eileen will tell you, “He kept coming back.” On April 26, 1955, Florian and Eileen exchanged vows at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Richardsville. They began a marriage that lasted for 65 years and produced six children — Jean, Joyce, Jim, Jolene, Janel, and Jennifer; and honorary daughter, Kelli Drilling. After beginning their married life on a farm near Dubuque, the couple moved to the Winter home farm in early 1956. They raised crops on their dairy farm, and he took pride in his Oliver tractors. The farm also had feeder pigs, chickens, dogs, cats, and occasionally on his way back from a fishing trip, he would bring home a snapping turtle. He played town team baseball in Dubuque, where he was known as “Tex,” the right-handed pitcher who had one of the best curveballs you’ve ever seen. He also pitched for the New Hampton Braves and St. Lucas Pirates. Florian loved fishing, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and Atlanta Braves, deer hunting, playing Euchre, and in later years, going to coffee. He was, at one time, a man of many words, but 20 years ago, he suffered a stroke which changed him and he became a man of few words. He loved to drive around the countryside in his pickup, and when he was home, he had the perfect spot in his recliner to watch cars, trucks, and tractors pass by the farm. Florian was known by many names — Spatz, Tex, Dad, Pops, Grandpa — and make no mistake about it, his family and friends will miss him dearly. They know, though, that as he rests high on the hill in St. Lucas, he can enjoy the sunsets. Florian is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eileen Winter of Waucoma, IA; children, Jean (Mark) Hover of Cresco, IA, Joyce (Greg) Laures of New Hampton, IA, Jim Winter of Waucoma, IA, Jolene (Dave) Nelson of Rochester, MN, Janel (Gary) Kuennen of Lawler, IA, Jennifer (Joe) Kunsch of Naperville, IL, Kelli (Brian) Drilling of Waucoma, IA; 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Peter and Anna (Kuehner) Winter. Siblings: Nick (Germaine) Winter and Hilda (Henry) Huber.