Rev. Richard A. Winters

Pastor Dick Winters is now in his Heavenly home with his Savior.  He entered the presence of the Lord on Friday evening April 4, 2025.  Due to health challenges, Dick became a resident at Bishop Noa Home in Escanaba, Michigan for the past year. The staff at Bishop delighted in his quick smile and contagious laugh.

Pastor Dick was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 17, 1941.  His parents Clarence and Helen Winters realized the importance of Christian faith and baptized him as an infant at Zebaoth Lutheran Church in Milwaukee.

Dick spent the beginning of his education in public school but changed to Bethesda Lutheran School in the seventh grade.  Three weeks after entering Bethesda, Dick announced that he wanted to be a pastor.  After 8th grade graduation, he entered Wisconsin Lutheran High School for two years but completed his high school education at Concordia Lutheran High School in June of 1959.

Pastor Dick began his ministerial training by enrolling in Northwestern College in Watertown, Wisconsin.  He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in June of 1964.  In September of that year, he entered the Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, Wisconsin.

Pastoral training requires two years of classroom studies and then a year as a vicar which assigns future pastors to congregations throughout the United States giving them the opportunity for one year to experience all aspects of church responsibilities.  Before beginning his new assignment, he married Shari (Crimmel) Winters on July 17, 1966 at Grace Lutheran in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

His assignment was to pastor two congregations in Minnesota, Salem Lutheran in Woodbury and Mt. Zion in St. Paul, Minnesota.  Pastor Zenker of St. Paul Park was the clergy assigned to be his mentor.

Pastor Winters then completed his final year at the seminary in 1968 and was given a call to serve St. Paul’s Lutheran in Morris, Minnesota. During his forty years of ministry, he also served Divine Peace in Milwaukee; Immanuel Lutheran Church in Prior Lake, Minnesota and Salem Lutheran in Escanaba, Michigan.

While living in Prior Lake, Minnesota, Pastor Winters served as a circuit pastor for the South Central Conference and was a board member for the Lutheran Home in Belle Plaine, Minnesota.  For several years, he was a camp director for Camp Croix Bible Camp in Danbury, Minnesota.

In Escanaba, He also served as a circuit pastor for the Lake Superior Conference.  Pastor Winters was an active member of the Escanaba Kiwanis Club thoroughly enjoying his assignments for the yearly Olympics, the Home and Garden show and serving as a step on guide for bus tour groups coming to Escanaba.  He served on the board of Lake State Industries. For many years, he was a member of the Delta County Ambassadors attending ribbon cuttings, helping at Business after Hours, volunteering for the Governor’s luncheon at the fair, and participating in the 4th of July parades in Gladstone, Michigan. He was very active in the community and well respected.

After retirement in 2005, he continued to guest preach at a variety of locations including Wasilla, Alaska; Ellensburg, WA and Pullman, WA.  He gladly offered to preach for gratis in areas where it was hard to get a guest preacher.

Family members rejoice that Pastor Winters earthly challenges have ended. Those special to him are his wife Shari; his mother-in-law Catharine, his son Scott and his wife Amy of Shakopee, MN; his son Steve and his wife Allison of Walland, TN; his daughter Lisa and husband Andrew of Perry, IA; his brother Bill and wife Peg of Milwaukee, WI; his sister-in-law Bev and brother-in-law Russ of Fletcher, NC; 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.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Richard A. Winters, please visit our floral store.