Robert L. Winkowitsch

Robert Leslie Winkowitsch went to be with the Lord Monday, June 2, 2014 at Glacier Care Center in Cut Bank, Montana

A funeral service will be 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 11 at the Assembly of God Church in Cut Bank, followed by interment at Crown Hill Cemetery.

Bob was born May 6, 1929 to Benjamin Levi Winkowitsch and Grace (Buseman) Winkowitsch at Aplington, Iowa at his grandmother Minnie Buseman's home.

Bob attended country schools in South Dakota.  His family moved frequently due to the depression because work was hard to find in the 30’s.  He and his 10 siblings were raised on the farm and learned at a young age what work was.  He spent many hours with his horse and dog herding sheep on the Dakota prairies.  He had some great stories that he shared with his children and grandchildren about his experiences on the farm.  When Bob was 19 years old he worked for a man that offered him a good opportunity on his ranch, but Bob’s dad was sick, so he went back home to help on the farm.  During those years Bob taught himself how to play the accordion and spent many long evenings playing for barn dances and private parties.  By the time he got married and his family came along he no longer played the accordion, so they missed getting to hear his peppy style of playing.

Bob and his brother, John, rented a farm in 1952 until 1956 after which he decided he wanted a little adventure, so he headed for places unknown with the intention of running large machinery either in Alaska or California.  He stopped in Brady, Montana to see a nephew and ended up in Cut Bank where he got a job on the Ray Olson farm.  He worked for Ray during harvest in the fall of 1956.  That winter Ray was killed in an airplane accident and his sisters, Doris and Helen Olson, asked Bob to come back and run the farm for them.  Bob stayed on the Olson farm for 38 years and in 1995 he and Judy purchased the Olson farm.  Bob spent a total of 46 years on the farm and loved every bit of it.  His whole life was spent working as that was what he was good at and enjoyed doing.  He raised quality Charolais cattle and sold herd bulls all over the state and parts of South Dakota.  He lived for the harvest to be over so he could go hunting.  Bob spent a lot of hours climbing the mountains looking for that perfect trophy, with a kid or two following along behind.  Yes, he had a few hunting stories he liked to tell also.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his positive attitude, and for his love of people.  He was a friend to everyone and father figure to many.  His work ethics influenced many young people that helped him on the farm over the years.

Bob’s faith was simple but steadfast and he prayed every day for the safety of his children and grandchildren.  Bob accepted Jesus into his life at a Billy Graham movie shown here in Cut Bank.  He was a member of the Cut Bank Assembly of God Church where he was also baptized and was the Men’s Fellowship leader for a few years.  He was active in church activities and was a 4-H leader for a number of years where he spent many hours helping the young people with their animal projects.

He is survived by his sweetheart, Judy Winkowitsch; daughter Grace (Les) Smith; sons Rick (Kim), Robert (Samantha), and Ryan (LeAnne) Winkowitsch; 9 grandchildren, who were the joy of his life, Daniel, Joshua and Kassidy Winkowitsch, Katie and Glorie Ndongola, Remington, Ruger and Beretta Winkowitsch, Jedediah and Kenneth Winkowitsch.; his sisters Mary Kjerstad, Marjorie Winkowitsch and Vera and Dennis Bochmann; one brother, John Winkowitsch of Cut Bank; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin and Grace Winkowitsch; brothers George and Ben Winkowitsch; sisters Lila Kjerstad, Dorothy Dupee, Avis Severson and infant sister Mavis Winkowitsch; brothers in law Konrad Kjerstad and Bill Dupee; sister in law Mildred Winkowitsch.

We will always love you and miss you until we meet again.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Whitted Funeral Chapel.  Please visit Bob’s online memorial and leave a message of condolence for the family at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com