Hillsboro resident Winter nominated for award
The board of Senior Citizens of Marion County has nominated Edwin Winter as "Hero of the Heartland."
He vies for the honor with other nominees, the winner to be chosen Sept. 17 at the Senior Services Fair, Salina, sponsored by the North Central Area Agency on Aging.
Winter is a lifetime resident of Marion County, having been born near the Cottonwood River southeast of Durham.
A farmer for many years, he recently retired and moved to Hillsboro.
He served for 18 years on the local school board and was involved in unification and consolidation. He described those experiences as "very interesting" and also "very rewarding."
He is a charter member of the Durham Lions Club and has been instrumental in organizing several new Lions clubs in other communities. He has served as district governor of Lions and recently was honored for 45 years of perfect attendance at local meetings.
Winter is a life-long member of the Lutheran church. He served as Sunday school superintendent for many years and held many official church offices, acting as president of the congregation for several terms.
He is involved in the ministry of Main Street Apartments, Hillsboro, helping the homeless and needy.
He has been a long-time advocate for issues affecting senior citizens. Senior programs have benefited from his leadership. He currently is chairman of the board of Marion County Senior Citizens, a position he has held many times.
He served for six years on the Area Agency board of directors, one year as chairman. He was a Silver-haired Legislator for six years and was involved in senior programs at the local level for approximately 30 years.
Winter is a booster of senior fairs and informational meetings, always attending and encouraging others to come along.
He joins with others in SCHICK training, assessment certification, and in many ways stays abreast of assistance programs for seniors. He is an active supporter of hospice.
Winter credits his faith in the Lord for health, strength, and accomplishments. He also thanks his wife, Alice, to whom he has been married for almost 57 years, for her continued support.
They are the parents of one daughter, Wanda Unruh of rural Lindsborg, and two sons, Larry Winter of Silver Lake and Wayne Winter of Salina. They also enjoy seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
