Wayne Curtis Winslow

Wayne Winslow died March 28, 2021 in East Grand Rapids, Michigan, his home since 2013.

Wayne was born February 14, 1922, in Spencer, Iowa, the only child of C.C.N. and Tena Flaskegaard Winslow. He graduated from Spencer High School in 1939. He then attended Northwestern University, but his college career was interrupted by World War II. He was commissioned an officer in the Army Air Corps, and flew in the Pacific Theater 1943-1945. He was awarded two oak leaf clusters for merit, and the Air Medal. He graduated from Northwestern, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.                                                                             
Wayne married Mary Annette Stoner, known as Sammy, in 1944.  He and Sammy raised their four children in Spencer. Wayne and his parents operated The Beehive, a department store. After his parents’ retirement, he redesigned the store on Grand Avenue and changed its name to Winslow’s Department Store. He operated Winslow’s until he sold the business in 1983.

After Sammy’s death in 1974, Wayne met Donna Jean Stille, and they were married in 1976. They lived in Spencer, at Lake Okoboji, and in Naples, Florida during their marriage. After Donna Jean’s death in 2012, he moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he made his home for the remainder of his life.

Wayne was active in many public and civic activities throughout his life. He served on the boards of the Spencer Municipal Hospital, the Spencer Golf and Country Club (former President), the Spencer National Bank, the Y.M.C.A., the Chamber of Commerce (former Chairman of the Board of Trustees), the Kiwanis Club, and the Grace Methodist Church in Spencer; and on the board of Quail Creek Country Club in Naples, Florida. He was an active supporter of the Clay County Fair, running the harness races for many years. He gave generous financial support to many non-profit and charitable organizations throughout his life.

He was preceded in death by his parents,  and his wives, Sammy and Donna Jean. He is survived by his four children and their spouses, Mimi Winslow and Chris Tompkins, Tom and Mary Winslow, Charlie Winslow and Judy Sopeland, and Barbara and David Boardman, nine grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two step-children, Steve Stille and his wife Becky, and Deb Trizilla, and their children and grandchildren. He will be remembered as a gentleman who enjoyed today and looked to the future.  He will be missed by the many friends and family with whom he shared his enjoyment of jazz, golfing, fishing, nature, Northwestern University sports, the Chicago Cubs, good food and a good laugh. He will be honored by his family for his generosity to them and his commitment to their well being.