George Albert Winter, 87, of Austin, Minnesota, died Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, at his cabin in Bemidji, Minnesota, following a battle with COPD.

George was born Aug, 13, 1931, in Albany, Minnesota, to Edward and Rose (Obermiller) Winter. He graduated from Albany High School and St. Cloud State Teachers College. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he taught in Hibbing, Minnesota, St. Cloud, Minnesota, and Austin. His hobbies included woodcarving, woodworking, fishing, crossword puzzles, travelling, playing with his grandchildren and spending time at his cabin. He was known for his gruff voice, kind heart, helping hands and hardy laugh.

He leaves his wife of 43 years, Diane (Johnson) Winter; his daughter, Inez Winter of Loretto, Minnesota; his son, George W. Winter of Fayetteville, Arkansas; his daughter and son-in-law, Nicole (Winter) Caporale of Austin and Jonathan Caporale; six grandchildren, Erik (Jesse) Lillejord, Cyri (Eric) Van Hecke, Tyra Lillejord, Liliana Caporale, Kai Caporale, Malia Caporale; great-grandchildren, Victor Van Hecke, Avery Lillejord, Reagan Lillejord; and many other close friends and relatives.

He was predeceased by his parents; his siblings, Elmer Jim Winters, Albert “Bert” Winter, Mary (Winter) Verbeke; and his first wife of 22 years, Marie (Pogatchnik) Winter.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Niethammer officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2018, at the Clasen-Jordan Mortuary and for one hour before the service on Friday at the church. Interment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston, Minnesota, at a later date.

Memorials are preferred to the Down’s Syndrome Association of Minnesota, the Hormel Nature Center, or the donor’s choice.