Ronald Winters

FUNERAL SERVICES : 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the Assembly of God Church in Park Rapids, MN.VISITATION : 5-8:00 P.M. on Friday, January 6, 2012 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids, MN and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.INTERMENT : Northwoods Harvest Barn Cowboy Church Cemetery, Detroit Lakes, MNSURVIVORS : His wife for the past almost 49 years, Phyllis of Osage; his two daughters: Susan (Darwin) Bartel of Frazee and Dawn (Andrew) Tracy of Park Rapids; five grandchildren: Christine, Kimberly, Skylar, Jared and Heather; 2 great-grandchildren: Jayden and Mason. REV. RONALD M. WINTERSMarch 31, 1943 " January 3, 2012 Rev. Ronald M. Winters, age 68, of Osage, MN, went home to his Lord and Savior unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at the Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND surrounded by his loved ones following a massive heart attack he had suffered several days earlier. Ron was born on March 31, 1943 in St. Paul, MN to Max and Esther (Evenson) Winters. It was in the Twin Cities that Ron attended public school and grew into manhood. He was an ambitious young man who started his own business while just a sophomore in high school. Ron graduated from the Robbinsdale High School with the Class of 1961. On July 27, 1963, Ron was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Phyllis A. Fisher in Minneapolis. This union was blessed with two daughters: Susan and Dawn. Shortly after the birth of their children, Ron began furthering his education at the University of MN where he studied anthropology while still operating his small business he had started in high school. In 1975, Ron and Phyllis relocated to Nevis, MN. In 1979 they moved to Osage, MN where they owned and operated the R&P Construction Company. Shortly after building a new home for his family which burned to the ground in a tragic fire, Ron placed his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who he accepted as his Savior. In June of 1985, Ron moved with his family to Sacramento, CA where he attended the Trinity Life Bible College. After his graduation, Ron taught as a Professor of Biblical Studies and earned his ministerial license. While in California, he became a self-taught software programmer and specialized in computer forensics. In May of 1993, Ron and Phyllis returned to Minnesota with their daughter, Susan and settled near Osage, MN. In 1994, Ron became Pastor of the Family Christian Center near Height of Land Lake where he and Phyllis were deeply involved in ministry for several years. Later, Ron became involved with the ministry of the Park Rapids Assembly of God Church where he served as the Director of Evangelism and continued to teach right up until shortly before his death. Ron loved the outdoors, especially when he could be hunting or fishing with family and friends. He loved to fly and had owned two of his own airplanes and was looking forward to purchasing his third aircraft to resume his passion of flight. Ron had a profound love for music and had taught himself to become an accomplished guitarist. Above all, Ron devoted his life to serving and loving the Lord, his wife, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren with all his heart, soul and mind. Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife for the past almost 49 years, Phyllis of Osage; his two daughters: Susan (Darwin) Bartel of Frazee and Dawn (Andrew) Tracy of Park Rapids; five grandchildren: Christine, Kimberly, Skylar, Jared and Heather; 2 great-grandchildren: Jayden and Mason; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Saturday, January 7, 2012 at the Park Rapids Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Tim Wilson, Rev. Art Wood and Rev. Maynard LaVallie officiating. The casket bearers will be: Maynard LaVallie, Darwin Bartel, Skylar Bartel, Jared Tracy, Trevor Pikula, Aaron Stearns and Ray Woodrum. The honorary casket bearers will be: Chrissy Winters, Kimberly Tracy, Heather Tracy, Jayden Tretbar and Mason Tretbar. Interment will be made in the Northwoods Harvest Barn Cowboy Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 5 PM to 8 PM on Friday, January 6th at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home in Park Rapids and for one hour prior to the services at the church. A lunch reception will be hosted by the Park Rapids Assembly of God Church following the funeral service.