Winters: With his family by his side, Lowell Raymond Winters passed away on October 29, 2015 at his home on the family farm in the R.M. of Sifton. Lowell was born on December 14, 1932 at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, MB to John and Helena Winters of Sanford, MB.
Lowell grew up on the family farm in Sanford, MB where he attended school until the age of 15 when he left to take over the farm following the death of his father in 1948. He took over the responsibilities of being the head of the household after his father’s passing as there were five younger siblings to provide for.
In 1951, Lowell met his life-long love, Eileen Curdt, at the Carmen Fair while playing baseball. When he played hockey in Sperling that winter, the two began their relationship that led to marriage on October 30, 1954.
Lowell and Eileen began their life together in Sanford working on the farm. It was there that they welcomed their three eldest, all girls, before the passing of Lowell’s mother in June of 1959. Following her death, Lowell and Eileen took Lowell’s three younger brothers into their home. Lowell and Eileen added a son to the family before the passing of Eileen’s mother a year later. One more son was added to the family before they made a move to cattle country.
Lowell grew up a grain farmer but his heart lay in raising cattle and horses. Lowell and his brother went in search of the perfect place to start their new farming venture and ended up settling on Oak Lake. Lowell’s brother and his wife made the move first and Lowell and Eileen followed them in 1962. They all shared a yard while Lowell and Eileen waited for possession of their new family home. After moving to their new farm, they welcomed their final son to the family.
Lowell and Eileen raised their 6 children on the farm south of Oak Lake. Lowell was often found coaching behind the hockey bench in town or working as a trustee of Lansdowne School.
Over the next 50 years, Lowell and Eileen shared the passion of building up their home and farm with the help of their children. What started as a humble cattle operation of 15 head grew into a reputable herd of Angus cattle. Lowell was one of the last of the true cowboys. Cattle were meant to be worked on the back of a horse and there was no other way to do it for Lowell. Lowell was active on the farm up until the last week of his life, fixing fence and working with the animals.
Lowell was an active member of his church and his community. He lent his voice to the church choir almost every Sunday and could always be counted on to lend a hand. He was a long-time member of Oak Lake Ag Society and will be remembered for his pit BBQ beef for many community events and celebrations.
Lowell was pre-deceased by his parents John and Helena Winters, sister Marilyn, infant brother Dwight, and brothers-in-law Clayton McDonald and Victor Hogue. Remaining to cherish Lowell’s memory are: his wife of 61 years Eileen; children Jill (Brad) Perkins, Judy (Greg) Hubbard, Maureen (Bryce) Buckley, Wade (Treena) Winters, Chris (Mavis) Winters and Mike Winters; grandchildren Kelly (Josh) Towns, Jeffery and Matthew Perkins; Jaye Hubbard; Allison (Steve) Hamm, Cheryl (John) Klassen, Stephen and Jared Buckley; Kyle (Karina) Winters, Kristen Winters; Ryan, Paul and Cory Winters; Laura (Jason) Hey, Tyler Winters; 6 great-grandchildren; sisters Sylvia Hogue and Darlene Winters (Ron Gillis) and brothers J.L. (Dorothy) Winters, Tim (Maureen) Winters and Gary (Lorraine) Winters.
A funeral service was held on November 3, 2015 at Oak Lake Community Hall with Don Sellsted officiating. Urn bearer was Tyler Winters with internment at the Oak Lake Cemetery. In memory of Lowell, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
Our girls have many happy memories of lowell cheering them on in hockey in the early years always such a dedicated fan! may all your cherished memories comfort you at this time.
Our deepest sympathy to you Eileen and your family.
Jill, Brad & the Winters family-
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Lowell.
Thinking of you at this sad time.
It was with great sadness we heard of Lowell’s passing. He was such a “full of life” person. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Eileen, Jill and Brad and family, Chris and Mavis and family and all Winter children and grandchildren. One of the greatest tributes to a person is that he is missed when he passes. Lowell will be greatly missed by all but especially his family.
Dear Eileen and all the family, we are so sorry for the sudden loss of Lowell.
He will be so missed by many people, family, friends and the community of Oak Lake.
We will see you all on Tuesday and are sending our love and heartfelt sympathy.
It came as a shock to hear of Lowell’s passing. All the memories of him with Dad, working horses. I remember the year Dad decided to stook a field. He only wanted Lowell and Dick to be driving the horses. How we all had lunch together. Great fun. Mom will have been sorry not to be there. I hope to come, but if it doesn’t work..I hope this will be a good family time together.
Lowell was a great man and will be missed by all who knew him. He was such a strong personality and made such a positive influence in your community and in the lives of all he touched.
Little Ron and Barb
My condolences on the passing of Lowell. He will always be remembered.
It is hard to say goodbye to a long time friend. What makes it easier is the many good memories we have of Lowell and how he took the time to visit with everyone. . We pray that your family will have the strength to travel this tough part of life’s journey.
Our deepest condolences to Eileen and family. We are very sorry to hear about the sudden loss of Lowell. We will see you on Tuesday.
Condolences to you Eileen and family , we so often talk about Lowell and the best roast beef we have ever had . This was at the Wiebe Reunion in 1988.
Ed enjoyed working with Lowell on that . Gods Blessing and comfort to you and your family .
Wade, Treena and boys,
So sorry to read of your loss. May your many memories bring comfort in the days to come. It is never easy to loose someone who has been such a major presence in your lives. Thinking of you .
with sympathy, Irene
Lowell will be missed. He was one the “cool” cowboys Dad was friends with. Hard and tough yet kind and caring. I stopped at Lowell’s one afternoon with my new baby girl. She was hot and mad in her car seat. As I was undoing the seat belt Lowell reached his big paw into the seat and scooped her out in one quick motion. She was screaming and pitching a fit and he walked right on over to the barn. He was carrying her like a kitten. I was running behind with my hands out afraid he was going to drop my baby! He turned around and walked to the house looking at me and laughing, “Oh, we have lots of this around here!” Then she looked at him, gave up and was quite happy to be with him. We have many good memories of Lowell and Dad visiting and laughing. My two favorite cowboys. Thinking of you, Patti
Our thoughts are with all of you. I remember all the times we’d come to visit as young children when we lived in Montreal, loved spending time with your family. Always welcomed with opened arms and Uncle Lowell teasing us city kids! A great man, he will be very much missed but never forgotten. Wish we could of been there for the funeral. Xoxo
From: Adele Laferriere and family: Eileen we are thinking of you in this difficult time in your life. Take care of yourself and family.
Our condolences to Eileen, Jill, Brad and Kids, and the Winters family. I always enjoyed my conversations with Lowell (mostly hockey, I think he was a bigger hockey fanatic than even I) when we saw each other whether at Brad and Jill’s or at my parents in Killarney.
With all that was going on at Jill and Brads wedding Lowell still took time to talk to me and my younger brother Alvin. This poor guy had to listen to hockey talk and Star Wars but he still took the time for us guys.
To Kelly, Jeff and Matt your grandfather was such a great guy a real mans man tough as nails and a huge heart.
Warm regards,
H
Eileen and family,
I was very sorry to hear of the death of Lowell. It has been many years since I have seen you, but every time I hear of Oak Lake, I remember our visits. Blessings and sympathy to you and your family, Dee
Sorry to hear of Lowell’s passing,he was a great neighbour in Sanford and was was always there to help. He will be missed by all.
Sharon and Eddy