Robert J Winberg

Robert “Bob” Jay Winberg passed from this world on July 18, 2020 suddenly and too soon.He was born November 16, 1953, to William “Bill” and Mary (Wanzek) Winberg in Jamestown, ND, the third of five children. Bob spent his youth in Moorhead, MN graduating from Moorhead High in 1972. As a child, he spent a lot of time with his cousins and siblings playing baseball, ice fishing, shooting, and being outdoors. If he wasn't playing with his cousins Bob could be found hard at work. During Bob's Senior year he crossed paths with the love of his life Kim Janell (Etterman) Winberg, while in his Social Studies class Bob told himself “I am going to ask her out.” Shortly after, they both attended a sock hop, Bob insisted on dancing with Kim and kept pinching her cheeks telling her “you need to smile”. The following Monday at school Kim finally realized the boy whose ears turned red when the teacher called on him was Bob!Beginning an extraordinary 48-year love story between 2 “kids” from Moorhead, Minnesota. On April 27, 1973, Bob married the love of his life, Kim Janell (Etterman) Winberg at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, MN. Bob, only 18 and Kim, barely 17, developed an inseparable love for one another. Bob joined the Air Force in 1973 and was stationed in Wichita Falls, TX at Sheppard Airforce Base where they welcomed their firstborn daughter Dawn Michelle (Winberg) Provance in 1973. As a family, they traveled to McConnell Air Force base in Wichita, KS. During this time a family of three became a family of four welcoming Jenell Kristine (Winberg) Anderson in 1976. Bob was later honorably discharged from the United States Air Force on May 10, 1979, as a Staff Sergeant. In 1979 Bob and his family moved back to Moorhead where Bob began his successful 37-year career with the phone company. Bob and Kim completed their family of five in 1980 by welcoming Elizabeth Robyn (Winberg) Westphal. Bob retired from CenturyLink in 2017 but even before retirement Bob and Kim had the itch to travel. Dancing and traveling through many adventures, Bob and Kim took 52 cruises, his favorites included, crossing the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights, traveling across the Mediterranean, sailing on a private yacht, seeing the South Pacific Islands, visiting the Panama Canal, and going to the Caribbean with his family and friends. In 2019 Bob and Kim decided to start a new chapter of their lives, buying a house in Florida, and making every day a vacation. Bob was loved by his six grandchildren. He loved going to as many events and activities that he could get to. He saw his first grandchild, Leah, get married in 2019 and was so happy to be part of her special day. He told stories about teaching Jacob how to fish and was with him when he tried his first oyster. Bob enjoyed watching Sydney play soccer and was excited to see the passion around environmental studies that she is pursuing in college. He enjoyed listening to Ky’s music while teaching herself the guitar and piano. Traveling to see Xander wrestle, play football and baseball was a highlight every year. Bob enjoyed hearing the funny stories about his youngest grandchild, Grace, with her silly songs, dances, and theatrics keeping him entertained and laughing. Bob was a strong man with an even bigger heart that never met a stranger. He enjoyed working with his hands, there never seemed to be a project that he could not fix or build. Commonly known as a grill master he could and would grill everything. On the weekends and evenings, he enjoyed spending time with his river family. Golfing was a favorite pastime playing both in leagues and with his family. Bob leaves behind his wife of 47 years, Kim; Daughters, Dawn (Mike) Provance, Chadron, NE, Jenell (Jason) Anderson, Neosho, MO; and Elizabeth Westphal, Omaha, NE; 6 grandchildren, Leah (Tucker) Lane, Sydney Westphal, Jacob Ewing, Ky Westphal, Xander Provance and Grace Anderson; His mother, Mary Winberg; Sisters, Karen (Al) Brennan, Kathryn (Mark) Fagergren, Kim (Bryon) Trochman; His brother John (Melanie) Winberg; Mother-in-Law, Eileen Etterman and co-conspirator, Frank Clemens; He was preceded into death by his father, William “Bill” Winberg; Father-in-Law, Richard “Rick” Etterman; Nephew, Derek Gordon Family and friends are invited to gather and share memories with Bob’s family on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 from 5-7 pm at Braman Mortuary at 1702 N 72nd Street Omaha, NE 68114 Masks and social distancing are encouraged. An outdoor service will be held at Gooseberry Park at the Big Shelter in Moorhead, MN on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at2 pm Masks and social distancing are encouraged. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp CoHoLo C/0 First State Bank Nebraska PO Box 130 Yutan, NE68073 Or, directly to the family C oLo