Lois "Grandma" Jean Winter

Lois Jean Winter

November 6, 1941 – October 1, 2025

Lois Jean Winter passed away peacefully on October 1, 2025, in Gilbert, Arizona, after 83 wonderful years. She passed with her family at her side.

Lois was born on November 6, 1941, in Middletown, Ohio, to parents Dale and Jeanette Jackson. She was the older sister to Shirley Jackson, and together they grew up on the Jackson family dairy farm with their beloved dog, Strike.

She graduated from Farmersville High School in 1959 as an honor roll student and student council president. In 1961, she married Dale Thomas Winter. They had three children: Thomas Winter and Susan Winter, both born in Ohio. In 1968, the family moved to Arizona, where their youngest child, Heather Klotz, was born. Lois attended college classes but chose to devote her life to being a homemaker and raising her children.

Lois was a strong woman of faith, raising her family to be devoted Christians. In her free time, she was an avid reader, with bookshelves overflowing in her personal library. She was also a talented gardener—her prized possession was a saguaro cactus she planted from seed that now stands over 15 feet tall. Her green thumb made both her front and back yards beautiful and lush, while also growing vegetables for her family.

Beyond her gardening, Lois had a love for collecting. She had a keen eye for beautiful antique perfume bottles and carousel horses and spent many weekends exploring her favorite antique shops to grow her collection.

In 1997, Lois became a grandmother with the birth of her first grandchild, John Winter. She was later blessed with three more grandchildren: Randall Klotz, David Winter, and Katie Klotz. Lois cherished her role as “Grandma” and loved spoiling her grandchildren. While John and David lived in Ohio, Randy and Katie were nearby in Arizona, where Lois cared for them during the summers. She made them her special breakfast—“toad in the hole,” bacon, and sausage—and spent many afternoons swimming and laughing by the pool. Her last trip was to Ohio to witness her grandson John marry his wife Jennifer. 

Lois is survived by her three children, Thomas (Janet) Winter, Susan Winter, and Heather Klotz, along with four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dale, and her parents. Her love, faith, and gentle presence will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

At this time, no formal celebration of life will be held, as the family is focusing on caring for her daughter Susan, who is currently hospitalized. The family hopes to gather and honor Lois’s life together at a later date.