Obituaries

Anita L. Roetker

March 11, 1931 to October 9, 2022

WINAMAC - Anita L Roetker, 91, of Lafayette, passed away peacefully at her home at 11:10 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 9, surrounded by her family.

She was born in York, Neb. March 11, 1931, the daughter of the late Henry and Mary Volzke. She attended a one-room schoolhouse through the fifth grade and attended Concordia Teacher’s College for high school, University of Nebraska for three years, and received her master’s degree in occupational therapy from University of Kansas in 1953. She married Robert Roetker on June 12, 1954 at St. Patrick’s Church in Utica, Neb. He survives.

Anita Roetker

She is also survived by her children Mary Inchauste, Jody Newton, Tom Roetker, Barbara Smith, Anne Krause, Cecilia Corcoran, David Roetker, Andy Roetker, Katherine Nicolai and two daughters-in-law, three sons-in-law, 25 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren who are carrying on her legacy of contributing to society in a loving, caring, and character-filled manner.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Marvin Volzke and grandson, Brandon Smith.

The Roetkers began their 68 years of married life in Indianapolis while Robert was a student at Indiana University and Anita started her practice in occupational therapy at Crossroad Rehabilitation center in Indianapolis. She was a lifelong member of the Occupational Therapy Association, recognized by the University of Kansas for her leadership in occupational therapy, having a daughter and granddaughter also graduating in occupational therapy from the University of Kansas. The Roetkers started their family while he was in the army, stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. After military service, they moved back to Lafayette in 1958 where Robert began a practice in general dentistry for the next 51 years, retiring in 2012.

One of Anita’s proudest accomplishments was raising nine children. She was a dedicated wife and mother as well as an astute business professional and served as the corporate secretary for a number of family businesses. She was a perfect life partner, trusting in God, in marriage, in business, in family, and in profession. She was an excellent seamstress, a gourmet cook, a family leader, and a professional healthcare provider.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11a.m., Friday, Oct. 14, at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in Culver. Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Culver.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Lafayette Diocesan Foundation c/o Roetker Family Endowment or the charity of the donor’s choice in lieu of flowers.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com .

Arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

James Owen Winters

December 17, 1938 to September 6, 2022

WINAMAC – Word has been received of the death of James Owen “Jim” Winters, 83, of Ontario, Calif. Who passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

He was born Dec. 17, 1938 in Knox, to the late Owen and Geraldine [Hatfield] Winters. He was raised on a farm north of Monterey. He was salutatorian of the 1956 class of Monterey High School. He married Lubertha “Bertha” Hunt on Oct. 19, 1996 in Pomona, Calif. She survives.

Jim Winters

He is also survived by:
James O. (Tina) Winters Jr., Surprise, AZ, Son
1 Granddaughter: Jacqueline
Shirley (Mont) Hoover, Winamac, Sister
Dick (Sue) Winters, Royal Center, Brother
Jerry Winters, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Nancy Winters, Winamac, Sister-in-law
Many Nieces and Nephews

Preceded in death by:
Debra Winters, Daughter
Jack Winters, Brother
Wayne Winters, Brother
Kathryn Wikert, Sister

Mr. Winters was a glassworker for Libby Glass, Inc. in City of Industry, Calif. for 28 years. He became the union president and steward of American Flint Glassworkers Union during the last five years of his career. He was past president of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Ontario. He loved spending time with family and the many friends he had made at the Eagles. Jim and Bertha loved sailing on the Pacific Ocean. He was also a licensed private pilot, enjoyed woodworking, and was an avid reader. He helped raise several of Bertha’s nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life service will be held in Ontario, Calif. at a later date. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, at Riverside Memorial Cemetery in Monterey. Burial will be at the cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Fraternal Order Eagles.

Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frain Mortuary in Winamac.

Online tributes may be offered at www.frainmortuary.com.