Marie A. Winter

Marie A. Winter, a long-time resident of both Brookfield, WI and Bonita Springs, FL, entered into eternal life on the afternoon of Sunday, October 9, 2016 at Joanne's House at Hope Hospice in Bonita Springs, FL. She was 81 years old. Preceded in death by her mother Ann Cwiklinski, her father Felix Klein, her step-father John Cwiklinski, her brother Jerome, and her aunt Agnes Kucharzak. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. Born in 1935 in Milwaukee, WI, Marie was always one to keep herself busy. After completing school, she went to work for General Motors and got involved with the Vagabond Ski & Social Club where she discovered her love of travel and entertaining. Through the Vagabonds, Marie would also meet William B. Winter, of LaCrosse, WI, whom she would marry on November 21, 1970, in Milwaukee, WI. They bought their “honeymoon house” (as Marie often called it) in Brookfield, WI before moving to Lincoln, England, where they lived for 7 years exploring the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle-East. While living in England, Marie’s hard work, perseverance, and pleasant personality resulted in the successful adoption of twin babies, Jennifer and Jonathan, with whom they returned to Wisconsin in 1977. Marie was a caring and devoted mother, but still made time to be involved in her community and numerous social groups, including the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin and The Wisconsin Red Hat Society. She had a very strong passion for music and the performing arts which led to her involvement in the Florentine Opera Company in Milwaukee, WI. Though she was a very humble person, she was extremely proud of the successful “Stompin’ at the Savoy” fund raiser opera ball she organized and led. She was also heavily involved in coordinating an annual multi-family bicycle trip to Door County, WI along with planning many memorable family vacations full of skiing and beach activities. After retirement, Marie traveled more, including a birthday trip to China and Vietnam, and a cruise to multiple countries on the Baltic Sea. She was a true world traveler. Marie also spent many years splitting time between Wisconsin and her new home in Bonita Springs, FL where she continued to enjoy lifelong activities including boating, tennis, bicycling, and music, singing with the Bonita Bay Choir. Marie is survived by her husband William Winter, daughter Jennifer Winter, son and daughter-in-law Jonathan and Misty Winter, and grand-children Dakota, Cole, and Kelsey. A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Bonita Springs, FL on November 22, 2016 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Bonita Bay Club Ballroom. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Women’s Club of Wisconsin Foundation (http://www.wc-wi.org/index.cfm/philanthropy/foundation/) or The Florentine Opera Company (http://www.florentineopera.org/thrive/). On line condolences may be left by visiting www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home.

Marie A. Winter

March 25, 1935 - October 9, 2016