It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frank Winterkorn after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family. He leaves behind his devoted wife of 61 years, Trude, and his children Yvette (Todd), Jeff and his grandchildren, Karsten (Mikayla), Garrett, Sofia and Mia.
He will be deeply missed by his many friends and family members in Arizona, Illinois and Wisconsin, including his sister, Ingrid, brother-in-law, John and his niece Tanja (Barry) and her daughters Katrina and Petra, as well as his sister-in-law Karin and her late husband, Gottfried.
Frank was a true gentleman, gifted athlete, craftsman, artist, and meticulous in everything he did. He was a kind and remarkable man, a trait typical of the Winterkorn family. Frank was born in Budapest on October 5, 1941, to Eva and Frank Winterkorn. It was World War II and he and his mother were exiled to Germany when he was only two years old. His father was a POW and upon his release, they were reunited in Germany in 1948. They built a good life in Bad Rappenau and Frank was apprenticed as a tool designer and honed his skill in drafting and engineering. It was to be his lifelong passion and when the family eventually immigrated to Chicago, he continued in his profession with F&B Manufacturing for the next 50 years. He married the love of his life, Trude, in 1965. Family was the most important thing to Frank and when Yvette and Jeff were born, their lives were complete. He loved spending time at the Wisconsin cottage with his parents, kids and eventually the grandchildren. He was fiercely proud of all their accomplishments and there was nothing more important to him than sitting around the dinner table, eating the delicious meals that Trude and Mama prepared, drinking good Red wine and having great discussions. This would eventually lead to some cringeworthy jokes and lots of laughter, followed by a game of Monopoly or Trivial Pursuit. He had only one regret, he never got that elusive hole-in-one on the golf course. His dad had Six!
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice Of The Valley.
