Jack Winter

John (Jack) Winter, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family, on September 9, 2025, at the age of 74, in Woodbury, Minnesota, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Jack was the only child of Ernest John Winter and Eleanor Marie Wander, born on December 8, 1950, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He grew up in a loving home spending time during the summers in Spring Hill at the Wander family farm driving tractors and helping with the daily chores. This time spent with his extended family honed his abilities to problem solve and developed his love of working with his hands.

Jack was a devoted family man. He married his loving wife, Denise Marie Gross, on May 3, 1980, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter and a devotion to their Catholic faith. Jack is survived by his wife, Denise; his children, Sarah (Adam) Gibson and Jeffery (Amy) Winter; and his grandchildren, Eleanor, Nathaniel, Samuel, Lilianna, Jessica, Joshua, Andrew, and Isabella Gibson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beautiful granddaughter, Danielle.

Jack's educational journey began at Nativity of Our Lord School, followed by his graduation from Cretin High School in 1968. He attended St. Cloud State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management in 1972. He was always proud of the fact that in his career he held only three jobs. Working part-time at Montgomery Ward starting in high school, gaining practical knowledge in the Home Improvement and Tools department. Upon graduating from college he quickly rose through the ranks at Budget Power Home Improvement Center, where he became a store manager and transformed his store into the most profitable one in the company earning the recognition as Store Manager of the Year. In 1988, Jack transitioned to a role as a commercial plumbing salesman at SPS Companies where he continued to excel until his retirement in 2014.

Aside from his professional accomplishments, Jack was deeply committed to his community and loved giving back. He was an active volunteer, taking on many roles with Jeff's Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troops. For several years he volunteered as a reserve police officer with the Inver Grove Heights police department logging many hours of service to his community.

Jack was a weekly volunteer at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) from 2014 until he was no longer able to do so. He also dedicated his time to the Men's Clubs at St. Patrick and St. Ambrose, where he volunteered at numerous pancake breakfasts and other various events.

Jack was an avid car enthusiast, known for his love of automobiles. During his college years, he proudly owned a 1969 GTO and in his retirement years a 2007 Shelby Mustang and then a 2015 C7 Corvette Stingray. He enjoyed attending weekly car shows with the So. 61 CRUZRS in Newport and was a member of the Minnesota Street Rod Association (MSRA). Jack had an incredible talent for identifying the year, make, and model of almost any classic or muscle car.

Over the years Jack enjoyed many hobbies including hunting, fishing, camping, both downhill and water skiing, snowmobiling, softball, golfing, racquetball and most of all woodworking. Jack was an excellent handyman being able to fix just about anything. He loved working with electrical, plumbing and woodworking, designing and building his ‘mancave’ or shop down to the custom cabinets for his tools and woodworking tools.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all those who cared for Jack over the last year, providing him with love and support during his battle with cancer.

Givens BrainTumor Center, his Neuro-Oncologist Dr. Andrea and her team, especially Will RN.

Allina Health Cancer Institute, his Radiologist, Dr. Zach MD and all the many caring nurses at the infusion center.

Allina Health Hospice, who compassionately helped to care for Jack during his last days. The amazing team of Suzie RN, Erin HHA and our home health volunteer Russ were all incredibly kind during the most difficult time of Jack’s journey.

In lieu of flowers, tax deductible donations can be made in Jack’s memory to the Glioblastoma Foundation.

https://glioblastomafoundation.org/get-involved/donate

A visitation for Jack will be held Monday, September 22, 2025 from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM at Saint Ambrose Catholic Community, 4125 Woodbury Dr. Woodbury, MN 55129. A mass of christian burial at 11:00 AM. A committal service will occur Monday, September 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Resurrection Cemetery, 2101 Lexington Ave S, Mendota Heights, MN 55120.