Calvin Eugene Winn, 76, of rural Newton, died Thurs-day, Sept. 10, 2020, at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. A funeral service was held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Community Heights Alliance Church, Newton. The family greeted friends after the service with a lunch and fellowship at the Izaak Walton League. Memorials have been designated for Jasper County Conservation.
Calvin, the son of Kenneth and Byrdene (Brodersen) Winn, was born Sept. 30, 1943, in Newton. He graduated from Newton High School in the Class of 1962. Calvin was a self-employed farmer and co-owner of In Remembrance. Nov. 23, 1991, Calvin was united in marriage with Kathy Kalma at the Community Reformed Church in Newton. In the early 1970s, Calvin was a pioneer in no-till farming and continued in no-till farming until his health didn’t allow. In the late 1990s after his hog production ended, Calvin teamed up with Jim Hickman to help at H/C Construction, although they would call themselves “Him and Calvin” and Calvin would remind Jim frequently that “he didn’t want a job!”
Calvin served on many area boards including Farm Bureau, Soil and Water Conservation, United Methodist Church, Jasper County Conservation, and chair of the Palo Alto Township. He also was a long-time member of both the Newton Elks Lodge and the Emerson Hough Chapter of the Izaak Walton League. Calvin served as the sexton of the Palo Alto Cemetery for many years.
Calvin enjoyed working on antique tractors, taking naps in his office, going to the pond to fish, and sitting out on the deck visiting with friends. Calvin always enjoyed a good story and making people smile. Some of those good stories were shared during Safety Meetings in Tim Johnson’s garage or at Mohler Welding in Reasnor.
Calvin is survived by his wife, Kathy Winn of rural Newton; son, Mike (Terri) Gilbert, who Calvin always said after adopting him that their family circle was complete; his surrogate family, Rob and Annie Wasson of Spirit Lake and their children, Miles and Ava; sisters-in-law, Dee Kendall and Mariea (Bennie) Bucklin; his many nieces and nephews; many cousins whom he loved dearly; and his many friends. He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents; his parents; stepdad Bill Kendall; stepbrother Bill Kendall; stepsister, Betsy Miller; and his dog Snickers.
