Pastor Dick Winters

Pastor Dick Winters

ESCANABA — Pastor Dick Winters was called by his Lord Jesus to his heavenly home on Friday night, April 4, 2025. Dick had been residing for over the last year at the Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba, Michigan.

Dick was born was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 17, 1941 to Clarence and Helen Winters. Dick attended Wisconsin Lutheran High School for two years and then transferred to Concordia Lutheran High School in June of 1959.

Dick then went on continue his training for the public ministry by enrolling in Northwestern College in Watertown, Wis. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on languages in June of 1964. The following September Dick began his studies at Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wis.

Dick’s Seminary training took four years. After two years, he married Shari Crimmel on July 17, 1966 at Grace Lutheran Church in Waukesha, Wis. Dick and Shari then went to Minnesota for a year since Dick was assigned as a vicar (a year of internship in a congregation) to serve two congregations: Salem Lutheran in Woodbury, Minn. and Mt. Zion in St. Paul, Minn. under the supervision of Pastor Zenker of St. Paul Park. Dick then completed his last year at the Seminary and was assigned and called to be the Pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Morris, Minn.

In addition to his first two congregations over his 40 years of ministry he also served Divine Peace Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wis.; Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in rural Hutchinson, Minn.; Faith Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, Minn.; and Salem Lutheran Church in Escanaba, Mich.

In addition to his full-time ministry at Salem, Pastor Winters served some of those years as Circuit Pastor. He served in the community of Escanaba as a member of the Kiwanis Club. He served on the board of Lake States Industries. Dick was a member of the Delta County Ambassadors and was very active in the community and well respected.

Dick retired in 2005. He continued to serve as a vacancy preacher at Wasilla, Alaska; Ellensburg, Wash.; and Pullman, Wash. He gladly offered to preach for gratis in areas where it was hard to get a guest preacher.

Dick is survived by his wife, Shari; his mother-in-law, Catherine A. Crimmel; his son, Scott and his wife, Amy of Shakopee, Minn.; his son, Steve and his wife, Allison of Walland, Tenn.; his daughter, Lisa and her husband, Andrew of Perry, Iowa; his brother, Bill and wife, Peg of Milwaukee, Wis.; his sister-in-law, Bev and brother-in-law, Russ of Fletcher, N.C.; thirteen grandchildren and many other extended family members.

The service of Christian Funeral for Pastor Winters will be held at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 615 S. 30th Street, Escanaba. Pastor Paul Doletzky will officiate. There will be two times for visitation. Visitation will be on Monday, April 14, 2025 with an OPEN CASKET from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Salem Lutheran Church. Visitation will also be on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 with a CLOSED CASKET from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The service will take place on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 at 4 p.m. A meal will be served after the funeral service on Tuesday. The Anderson Funeral Homes of Escanaba and Gladstone is assisting the Winters family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.