Charles Elmer Wintermantel

Charles Elmer Wintermantel died on June 7th after a prolonged and frustrating battle with COPD. Born on March 26, 1939 in Lawrence, KS, the son of Elmer J. and Dorothy Marie Breithaupt Wintermantel. He was a near lifelong resident of Douglas County. His job with the DuPont Company transferred him to Louisiana for a few years until his early retirement in 1985. When he returned to Kansas he resumed his favorite occupation of farming, enjoying a partnership with his youngest son Michael. He could proudly throw hay bales while simultaneously sipping his cup of coffee. Charles was a great friend of the community. He served on the USD #348 school board, various church committees, the Douglas County Extension Council and the Willow Springs Township Trustees. He had an obvious love for young people and was infamous for supporting their endeavors with his “highdollar handshakes.” In his retirement he delivered machinery for Heritage Tractor. He also added his nonprofit tractor service; mowing what needed to mowed, scooping what needed scooped and blading snow out of driveways so family and neighbors could get to work. He got extra excited if you were stuck in a ditch and needed to be pulled out. In the snowy months he became a skilled woodworker, building toy farm implements, construction equipment, and rolling pins. He is survived by his incredible wife and caregiver of 57 years Louise (Anderson), and four children: Steven (Gina), Loretto, MN; Amy, Baldwin; Michael, (Kelly) Baldwin; and Ellen Peterson (Steve), South Asia. The above average grandchildren include: Clayton, Carter, Caden, Hazel, Abraham, Josiah and Cyrus Wintermantel and Anjali and Jaiya Peterson. He had one lovely sister, Marilyn Good of Baldwin, scores of cousins worth writing home about, better than average inlaws and a host of nieces and nephews who all helped out in our time of need. Funeral service will be 10 am Monday, June 12, at Worden United Methodist Church. Burial will follow at Worden Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6 to 7:30 pm at the church. Friends may call Saturday 3 pm to 8 pm and Sunday 9 am to 3 pm at the RumseyYost Funeral Home. Memorials may be made in his name to Worden United Methodist Church in care of RumseyYost Funeral Home, PO Box 1260, Lawrence KS 66044. Online condolences may be made at rumseyyost. com.