Manley John Winterfeldt

With deep sorrow and much love, the family of Manley John Winterfeldt, age 87 of rural Belle Plaine, announces his peaceful passing on Friday, November 26, 2021 at Oak Terrace Senior Living Center in Le Sueur.

Funeral Service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 11 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, December 10 at Kolden Funeral Home in Belle Plaine and continue one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine.

Manley was born in Blakeley Township on June 19, 1934 to John Henry Frank and Anna Wilhelmina Maria (Wolf) Winterfeldt. He was raised in the German settlement area of Belle Plaine Township, and he lived there nearly all of his life. Manley attended Belle Plaine Country School until 8th grade. He helped his father on their family farm throughout his childhood and adolescence and then took over his family farm after his father’s sudden passing in 1958. The family lore is that he was nearly born in the barn, so naturally, he was destined to be a farmer.

On April 19, 1956, Manley married the love of his life, LaVerna Lillian Marion Schultz at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Belle Plaine. Manley and LaVerna were happily married for 56 years until her passing in 2012. Together, they were blessed with four children, Rita, David, Jerome, and John.

In addition to being a proud farmer of dairy and grain, Manley’s talents were many.  Manley worked at a service station in Belle Plaine, did custom silo filling, served as a director for AMPI-Associated Milk Producers Board, and worked at Anchor Glass Container in Shakopee for 10 years.  He earned his full retirement in 1996 and never took this for granted. In their retirement, Manley and LaVerna sold health products for many years and actively served their community and homestead, with special attention given to St. John’s Lutheran Church and Redeemer Lutheran Church.

Manley modeled the sentiment “work hard and play hard” and truly did love to relax and enjoy time with his family and friends after a hard day of work. The greatest times of his life were spent at the family lake cabin on Lake Ida in Alexandria, Minnesota, which they bought in the winter of 1976. Some of Manley’s fondest family memories were spent at the lake skiing, fishing, playing in the water, and laughing with his family. For 15 winters, Manley and LaVerna also enjoyed their winter home in Orlando, Florida.  Truth be told, Manley never liked his suntan to fade. Manley’s favorite hobbies included traveling, gardening, fishing, baking (especially his famous butter balls at the holidays), playing cards, and most of all spending time laughing.  Manley loved to joke and tease with family and friends and truly never minded if he was the only one laughing.  Manley always had a smile on his face, and that smile was brightest when surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They were his life. Manley will be remembered for his quick wit, infectious laugh, bright smile, and willingness to help anyone. Blessed, cherished, and unsurpassed are the memories of Manley Winterfeldt.

Manley will be lovingly remembered by daughter Rita (Patrick) Zierden, sons David (Linda) Winterfeldt, Jerome (Lori) Winterfeldt, and John Winterfeldt (special friend Carmen Steuck); 9 grandchildren, Sara Schwartz (special friend Zach Carpenter), Matthew Zierden, Jennifer Winterfeldt (Clare Dudzinski), Christopher (Melanie) Winterfeldt, Michael Winterfeldt, Cassandra Winterfeldt, Adam (Christy) Winterfeldt, Andrew Winterfeldt, Aiden Winterfeldt (fiancée Kayli Rohal); 4 great grandchildren Emma Wolters (special friend Jack Whinnery), Benjamin and William Winterfeldt, Hazel Winterfeldt; sister-in-law Shirley Gruber, many nieces, nephews and friends.

Manley was preceded in death by his wife LaVerna, parents John and Anna Winterfeldt, his sisters Delores Haynes, Leona Moore, and Myrt Farber.