John M. Windis

John Martin Windis, age 92 years, passed away at Cedar Lake Communities in West Bend on Monday, December 9, 2013. He led a full, active and independent life and will be dearly missed by his children. John was born in Milwaukee on August 30, 1921; to immigrants John and Anna (Aigner) Windis. They soon relocated to Port Washington; his parents were the prior proprietors of the 'Wilson House' where John worked during his youth along with his two older sisters. He attended St. Mary's grade school and Port Washington High School. John worked on a fishing boat before he joined the Marine Corps. He served during WWII and the Korean Conflict. After the war he attended UW-Madison and graduated with a degree in business. He married Mary Magdalene Thelen in 1948, lived in Madison and then Milwaukee for 6 years, until they made their home in Port Washington. After moving to Port, he worked as Vice President of loans at the former Port Washington Savings & Loan. He did home appraisals, served for over 50 years as cemetery coordinator for St. Mary's of Port Washington. John was also active in the Knights of Columbus and Kiwanis Club. Living on Lake Michigan all his life, John ha...[more]

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reat respect for the lake and nature. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, bowling, traveling, socializing, movies, dancing, German food, chess, cards and crossword puzzles. He was passionate about the outdoors and shared that love with his children via walks along the beach, swims in the lake, ice skating, sledding and lots of hikes. John is survived by his ex-wife, Mary Windis (West Bend), and 11 of their 12 children: Katherine Windis of Sun City, AZ; Judith Hill of St. Petersburg, FL; Carol (Tom) Schneider of Oconomowoc, WI; Jennifer (Bob) Heth of Winona, MN; John (Mary) Windis, Jr. of Oshkosh, WI; Deborah (John) McNaughton of Milwaukee, WI; Joan (Gary) Simonsen of Racine, WI; Jean (Randy) Jacque of West Bend, WI; Mary (Mark) Adams of Canistota, SD; Patricia (Ron) Neu of Kewaskum, WI; and Roberta (Max) Bailey of Bartlesville, OK. In addition, John is survived by 21 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, relatives and friends. John was preceded in death by his parents; his son Daniel, and his sisters Anna (Aigner) Uselding and Kay (Windis) Pretschold. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30AM on Friday, December 13th at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 430 Johnson St., Port Washington. Father Tom Lijewski will preside. Burial will take place at the parish cemetery with Military Honors. The family will receive visitors on Thursday, December 12th from 4-7PM at the Eernisse Funeral Home, 1600 W. Grand Ave., Port Washington. Knights of Columbus will perform a walkthrough at 6:30PM Thursday with a family rosary service at 6:45PM.