Winter Daniel Etter Sr. was born September 30, 1958, at Imperial Saskatchewan, Canada, the son of Winter H. Jr. and Fay (Skiles) Etter. They lived east of Stalwart until his parents moved to Modesto, California in 1967. In May of 1975 Winter accepted Jesus into his life and was baptized in to the body of our Lord and Savior. He was received into the Old German Baptist Brethren church in Modesto, California at that time.
On August 5, 1978 he was united in marriage with Reta Louise Balsbaugh from Flora, Indiana and to this union seven children were born. Winter and Reta lived in CA, WA, IN, and the remaining 19 years of Winters life in WI.
In 2007 he battled cancer which went into remission. He continued to battle other sickness which had him in and out of hospitals many times until he found out his cancer had returned in August of 2017. He was then anointed September 11 and started his first chemo treatment September 12 of 2017. After 3 months of chemo, Winter was admitted to St. Claire Memorial hospital on November 27 and passed away peacefully 2 weeks later on December 11 of 2017 in answer to his Lord calling him to his heavenly home, at the age of 59 years, 2 months and 11 days. In his last two weeks here on earth, though in pain, he encouraged people when asked “how are you?” by answering “fantastic” and added that “Jesus is where my strength comes from.”
He is survived by his loving companion, Reta L. Etter, with whom he shared the joys and sorrows of life together for over 39 years; 7 children: Winter Jr. and wife Anna, Yolanda and husband Alvin Buckingham, Eric and wife Rachel, Justin, Curtis, Issac and wife Ellen, Levi and 22 grandchildren. Two brothers: John, Ohmer and wife Janice. Three sisters: Mary Ann, Ruth and Amy. Cousins, nieces and nephews who will treasure special memories of him.
He was preceded in death by his parents Winter and Fay, brother Charles, 2 grandchildren Quentin Etter and Jeneva Buckingham.
A visitation will be held Thursday December 14, at the White Pines District, Old German Baptist Brethren, Athens, from 10 AM – 12 Noon, 1:00 – 5:00 PM, 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Friday December 15, at the White Pines District, Old German Baptist Brethren at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow at the White Pines Cemetery in Athens.
He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. But we must sorrow not, for believing God, he accepted the Lord and knew that Jesus Christ was born and lived and died, that he might live with Him.
Dear brethren, sisters, friends and neighbors,
Thank you for all the support, food, prayers and babysitters during the hospital stay with daddy and in the time of our loss and sorrow.
May God bless each and every one of you.
The Family
