Theodore (Ted) Winters Jr., a Korean War veteran who loved the Minnesota Vikings, Iowa Hawkeyes and grainy Westerns, died peacefully at home on Dec. 10 after fighting multiple illnesses. He was 90.
Winters, who attended East High School in Des Moines and retired from Ford Motor Co., was a man whose actions spoke far more loudly than his words.
He served in the Army from April 1953-February 1956. He helped raise six step-children, John, Randy and Ron Fox, Patricia Denny and the late Pam Boughton and James Fox, in addition to daughter Deborah Wiorek. Later, Winters welcomed more step-children: Bruce, Bryce and Brian Miller.
He was married to the late Betty Anderson for 33 years. He reconnected with Beulah (Bea), who he had known since they were children in Des Moines, and the couple married in September 1995. She became his tireless caregiver for years.
Winters is survived by siblings Roberta Graff, Colleen Miller and Susan Harvey. William Winters and Mary Lou Krugler preceded him in death. He also leaves many friends at the couple's long-time winter home in Apache Junction, Ariz.
Whether it was whipping up chicken and dumplings, pretending not to hear Bea or accidentally downloading pay-per-view wrestling, he created warm smiles for those who knew him.
The family will host a memorial to celebrate Winters in June.
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