Lawrence Winters

Lawrence Winters, 96, of Hampton, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Franklin Country View Nursing Home in Hampton. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home, with a luncheon and time of fellowship to follow. Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sietsema-Atkinson Funeral Home in Hampton.

Lawrence was born on December 26, 1929, at his parents’ home in New Providence, Hardin County, Iowa, to Miles Fonzy and Lula Reece Winters. Lawrence had 14 brothers and sisters. Growing up, he got up every day at 4:00 a.m. to do chores for a neighbor who had polio before going to school. He attended school in Eldora, Whitten, Gifford, New Providence, a country school, and Union until the fifth grade. At the age of 15 or 16, Lawrence helped his brothers, Floyd and Kenny, farm.

Lawrence met Lena Mae Abbas on a blind date at the skating rink in Iowa Falls. They were married on March 16, 1951, at Lena Mae’s parents’ home, six months before Lawrence enlisted in the Army. He served in Korea, doing demolition work with dynamite.

Lawrence and Lena Mae farmed the majority of their lives until Lawrence retired and let his sons take over. He then developed a passion for restoring tractors he bought at auctions and reselling them. He was also always available to help his sons with farming when needed.

Earlier in life, Lawrence and Lena Mae spent almost every Monday night at Kenny Winters and Adams Brothers auctions in Iowa Falls. Later, their children went along with them, too. Lawrence also enjoyed reading Westerns, especially Louis L’Amour, and John Grisham books. He loved family get-togethers with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Lawrence taught every one of his children and grandchildren how to skate. He could skate backward while holding their hands as they skated forward and was even known to jump over barrels while skating. He loved to tell jokes and stories to anyone who would listen. If you heard a story once, chances were you would hear it again sometime.

Lawrence and Lena Mae recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary on March 16, a rare and special milestone. A card shower added to the joy of the occasion.

Lawrence is survived by the love of his life, Lena Mae; daughter, Connie (Ricky) Sparks; son, Steven (Deb) Winters; daughter, DeeAnn (Mike) Keninger; and son, Ryan (Monica) Winters; grandchildren, Stephanie (Curtis) Witte, Garrett (Holly) Winters, Kelli (Cody) Bateman, Megan (Jarvis) Hesnard, Brent (Chelsea) Winters, Theresa Winters, Adam (Courtney) Winterhill, and Paige (Rob) Hanson; and great-grandchildren, Sophia and CeCe Witte, Alayna and Kia Winters, Zane, Emerlyn, Brenna and Atlas Bateman, Sloane Hanson, and Eloise Winterhill.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Miles Fonzy and Lula Winters; sister, Hazel (Merlin) Anderson; sister, Norma (Martin) Krueger; brother, Floyd (Iva Mae) Winters; brother, Kenneth (Ella Mae) Winters; sister, Ferne Winters; brother, Wallace Winters; brother, Lester (Alice) Winters; sister, Jeanette (Vern) Payne; brother, Merle (Dorothy) Winters; brother, Millard (Karen and Annabelle) Winters; brother, Willard (Audrey) Winters; brother, Stan (Inez) Winters; sister, Kay (Kenneth) Wood; and brother, Don (Carolyn) Winters.