Longtime Kalispell resident and World War II veteran, Robert Rudie Winter, passed away on July 29, 2012, at the age of 90.

 Robert “Bob,” son of Portus F. and Bernice Rudie Winter, was born in Menomonie, Wis., on Feb. 1, 1922.   

At a young age, Bob moved with his family to the Swan area of Montana. Later the family moved to Ronan, where Bob attended high school and worked to support his mother and younger siblings.

It was in Ronan that Bob met his future wife, Lovella Nadrau. Bob and Lovella were married in June 1944, shortly before both shipped out to the European Theatre during World War II. Bob and Lovella served in close proximity in Europe, Lovella as an Army nurse and Bob as a tank crewman in the 11th Armored Division of Patton’s Third Army. Bob fought in many battles, including the decisive Battle of the Bulge. Some battle locations were in the same geographic areas in which his father fought in World War I. He was discharged from the Army in 1946. However, the military continued to be an important part of his life as he served for 21 years in the Montana Army National Guard, retiring in 1980.

Following World War II, Bob and Lovella settled in Ronan, where their first two daughters were born. The young family relocated to Kalispell in 1951 where their third daughter and a son were born.

Bob was a truck driver for Equity Supply Company for many years, then drove long distance routes for Dick Irwin Trucking. Following his retirement from trucking, he felt the need to keep busy so he worked in maintenance for McDonald’s for five years.

In his retirement years, Bob was active in the Eagles, and volunteered as service officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. One of his greatest pleasures during his retirement years was to bring first-hand perspectives of World War II to local high school students.

In the last decade, it was his good fortune to remain in his home of 60 years while he enjoyed the services provided by and the fellowship of his special friends at the Flathead County Agency on Aging/Congregate Meals. His friends at Agency affectionately addressed him as “Sarge” in honor of his military service. When he was no longer able to live alone in his home of 60 years, Bob moved to the home of his daughter Juanita and Ron Rash, and received compassionate and loving care until he passed away.  

After 27 years of marriage and four children, Lovella passed away in 1971.  Bob later married Evelyn Brown and continued to live in the family home in Kalispell. With his second marriage, his family grew to include several adult stepchildren and their families. Evelyn passed away in 2004.  

Bob was preceded in death by his wives, Lovella and Evelyn; his parents;  his sister, Vivian Thompson; and his brother, Richard Winter.

He is survived by his brother, Raymond, and Barbara Winter, of Selah, Wash.;  his sister, Joanne Winter, of Missoula; his children, Roberta Winter of Somers, Juanita and Ronald Rash of Kalispell, Kristina and Donald Hanley of Kirkland, Wash., and Randall Winter and Mary of Kalispell; his grandchildren, Keith and Cindy Rash of Waukee, Iowa; Janelle and Les Coughran of Snoqualmie, Wash., Brenda Hanley of Lewiston, Idaho, Kayleen and Tony Kohler, Kristi and AJ Willits, Kyle Winter and Justine Winter of Kalispell; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many close friends.

Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home in Kalispell. The memorial service begins at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 3, at Easthaven Baptist Church in Kalispell, followed by refreshments in the foyer. Interment will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 7, at Ronan Cemetery in Ronan.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Flathead County Agency on Aging, or Easthaven Baptist Church Emancipation Campaign.   

Bob has long been considered the ruling patriarch or “The Man” by the large extended family. He will be greatly missed this weekend as the extended family meets for a long-planned family reunion in the Flathead Valley.    

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Bob’s family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to view Bob’s tribute wall, offer condolences and share memories.