Willi Winger

Willi Winger, 93, Bismarck, died April 11, 2014, at Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center, Bismarck. Services will be held at 12:00 Noon Wednesday, April 16, 2014, at Faith Lutheran Church, 1402 East Avenue C, Bismarck, with Rev. Wes Aardahl and Rev. Jon Splichal-Larson officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Bismarck. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Tuesday, April 15, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Parkway, Bismarck, where a prayer service will begin at 7:00 pm, with Rev. Rebecca Aardahl officiating. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Willi was born on March 27, 1921, in Sarata, Bessarabia, the son of Johannes and Anna Winger. He was raised and attended schools in Bessarabia. As a young man, he was drafted into the German Army and served as an interpreter. The war left a lasting impression on Willi; he abhorred violence in any form. Willi married the love of his life, Lilly Mayer, on January 6, 1944, in Bergstadt, Poland. They immigrated to the United States in 1952 and through a church sponsorship by Lilly's cousin, were able to settle in Bismarck. One of Willi's proudest moments was becoming a naturalized citizen of America in 1957. Having learned the trade in Europe, Willi began working with Otto Stude's Cabinet Shop, before beginning his own custom cabinet making business in 1959. Willi loved his work; and after a career of 30 years building quality cabinets, he retired. Willi continued managing his apartment buildings and he and Lilly enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the world. They wintered in Hawaii, visited family in Germany, and toured the Holy Land, among other locales. His faith in God and love for his family were the cornerstones of his life. Willi was a member of the Elks and Eagles Clubs, where he could dance with his sweetheart, Lilly. They were long-time members and worshipers at Faith Lutheran Church, where they made many friends. Willi is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lilly, Bismarck; his sons, Sieg Frances, Las Vegas, NV, and Ed Adrien, Lakewood, CO; his daughters, Edie Jon Green, Grand Forks, ND, and Ruth John Ulness, Bismarck, ND; eight grandchildren, Jodi and Dawn, Justin and Derek, Christopher and Brenton, Nate and Willi; four great-grandchildren, Jacob, Devon, Maia, and Lily; one brother, Alfred Winger, Germany; and one sister, Alma Rieck, Germany. He was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters; and two brothers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Faith Lutheran Church in Bismarck, or Missouri Slope Lutheran Care Center in Bismarck.

Willi Winger

March 27, 1921 - April 11, 2014