James Alan Winter

James Alan Winter was born on November 23, 1945, to Elmer and Veronica Winter in St. Paul, Minnesota. Throughout his life, James went by many names, James, Jim, Son, Brother, Uncle, Santa, Husband, and Dad; but by far, his favorite name to go by was Papa. Papa had three brothers and one sister whom he loved dearly. There were many great stories and memories shared with his siblings growing up, and this extended into adulthood with regular family gatherings. He graduated from Newman High School in Mason City, Iowa and afterwards he attended X-Ray Tech School. Papa never lost the ability to recite all 206 bones in the body. This profession as an X-Ray Tech would lead him to meet the love of his life in 1965. Katharine “Nana” Keohen was riding her horse and was bucked off requiring her to need an X-Ray. At the time, Nana was in nursing school and Papa was in school to be an X-Ray Tech. Lucky for Papa, he was fortunate enough to take this X-Ray for his future wife…“and the rest was history.” They were married on November 12, 1966. Afterwards, they moved to Montana where they began their family. The love for his family was unlike any other. In 1969, Papa and Nana welcomed their son, Jeff, into the world and in 1971, their daughter, Julie, was born. Papa enjoyed many activities. He loved to hunt squirrels, pheasants, gophers, and big game. He loved to ride horses and help out with branding cattle. His 4W brand was something he took great pride in. Tinkering and making gadgets to make life a little easier was also a hobby of his. There were various grabbers, levers, and pulleys around his house to assist him and his wife, Katie. By far, his favorite sport was baseball. He grew up playing baseball and played well into adulthood, until an ankle injury made him retire his mitt. While Papa was tough enough to trudge through the tough Montana winters to help with cattle or track down a nice buck; he was also gentle enough to hold a paintbrush and transform a canvas into beautiful Montana scenery. He enjoyed painting skylines, fenceposts, and pheasants. His artwork will be treasured by his family for generations to come. He lived to support his family, specifically his four grandchildren. Papa never missed a sporting event, music performance, academic ceremony, graduation, or celebration for his grandchildren. He loved all of the adventures in life. From road trips to Glacier Park, swinging at the cabin, or day trips with the grandchildren to Fort Benton. Papa was always there to listen in times of heartache and joy. He offered a comforting shoulder and encouraged us to allow grace not only for others, but for ourselves as well. Papa’s greatest joys in the last years of his life were gopher hunting with his grandson, watching his grandson play football, witnessing his granddaughters get married, and welcoming his first great-granddaughter. Papa loved everyone he came across and taught all of us to love the same. Saint Francis de Sales once said, “Nothing is so strong as gentleness and nothing is so gentle as true strength.” Papa is survived by his wife of 54 years, Katie Winter; son, Jeff Winter and his wife, Susan; daughter, Julie Wall and her husband, Jay; granddaughters, Madi Lee and her husband, Gavin and Shelbi Sitzmann and her husband, Micah; grandsons, Ryan and Kyle Winter; and his precious great-granddaughter, Lucy Lee. He was also blessed with a close relationship to many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Papa was an avid outdoorsman and donations to Pheasants Forever in memory of him would be very meaningful. Papa and Nana also strived to care for the less fortunate and memorial contributions may be made to the Great Falls Food Bank or a charity of your choice. For these donations, please see the attached website links below. We know Papa had fond memories and stories with many people and the family would love to have these stories shared with them. Pheasants Forever, www.montanapf.org or Great Falls Food Bank, www.greatfallsfoodbank.org.