Ned Winder1922-2005
Funeral services will be Friday at noon at the JordanNorthStakeCenter, 3900 S. 4000 West, WestValleyCity. Friends and family may call Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Valley View Funeral Home, 4335 W. 4100 South, and from 10 to 11:45 a.m. Friday at the stake center. Interment will be at ValleyViewMemorial Park.
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Ned Winder had that special touch - with family, with friends, with firefighters he fed, with newlyweds he advised.
"He was one of the unique characters of the world," said West Valley City Mayor Dennis Nordfelt. "He truly loved people and could demonstrate that through a wonderful sense of humor and one of the biggest hearts I've ever been associated with."
On Tuesday morning, Winder died of a heart condition. He was 83.
Winder - who helped run Winder Dairy and ValleyViewMemorial Park, both family businesses - had deep roots in WestValleyCity and beyond.
"He was out mowing lawns Monday and married people in the [LDS] temple earlier this week," said grandson Mike Winder. "He set a perfect example of how to genuinely care for people."
While his service is described as legendary, Winder's quick wit made him unforgettable. His many years laboring in the LDSChurch included extensive missionary work and "sealing" couples in temple marriage ceremonies.
"We called him 'Marrying Ned,' ” said Linda Gillette, whose four daughters and one son requested him specifically to perform their wedding ceremonies. "He was very human, very down to earth. He got their marriages off to a good start."
Winder shared "uncommon wisdom and memorable advice" with newlyweds, said Bruce Olsen, managing director of public affairs for the LDSChurch.
"Ned Winder was one of those unique characters who had a genuine love for everyone he met and an infectious way of showing how much he cared," Olsen said.
Winder also loved sports - and sports cars.
"He was famous for driving his maroon Porsche around town with the license plate 'NED,' ” Mike Winder said. "He joked that he loved that car and asked if he could get it sealed to him."
Philanthropist Bob Rice described Ned Winder as a "rabid University of Utah sports fan" and a longtime supporter of high school athletic programs, serving as head announcer for high school basketball tournaments.
"He had a great spirit about him," Rice said. "I'll miss his friendship."
Scores of WestValleyCity firefighters will miss him, too.
"He'd show up on the weekends with his black Mercedes that he loved to drive, full of Winder Dairy goodies for us," fire Capt. Walt Schanuel said. "He was a cutup. He always had a joke."
Capt. David Dumas described Winder as good-natured and gentle.
"He endeared himself to the guys here. He showed up almost every Sunday like clockwork," Dumas said. "He'd tell a joke, tell us to be careful and then be on his way."
Winder leaves behind Gwen, his wife of 57 years, along with seven children, 37 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.
"When I heard he had passed away, my first thought was, 'I can't imagine a world without Ned Winder,' ” Nordfelt said. "But then I realized, he has had such an astonishing influence on so many, I will feel that the rest of my life."
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