June 5, 2013

John Winden

John Kevin Winden, 59, of Lewistown, Mont., died Monday night, May 27, 2013, at his home of cancer. He was born in Moorhead, Minn., on Jan. 7, 1954, and was then adopted into the loving family of John and Naomi Winden. He was soon joined by a brother, Paul.
They lived in various towns in North Dakota and Montana as Kevin’s dad pursued his career as an aerial crop sprayer and grain elevator manager. They lived in Lewistown, Mont., the longest, and Kevin attended elementary and high school there, graduating from Fergus High School in 1973. He went on to attend the University of North Dakota at Williston and the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, graduating with a bachelor of science degree in biology.
Kevin moved back to Lewistown in 2009 to be around the people and places he grew up with and loved. As boys growing up, Kevin, Paul and friend, John Burkholder, explored the mountains, caves and creeks in the area having some near death experiences while doing so. One legendary event involved mortar rounds in the kitchen. Other times, they rode their horses with their trusty sheep “Bucky,” the “dog with hooves” following along with the other dogs.
Kevin opened a business in Lewistown, “Kevin the Computer Guy” located in the Montana Paint and Glass building and helped many people find their way through the complicated computer world.  His earlier career included installing computer systems in nursing homes in the south, Ohio, Alabama, Georgia and Virginia, being some of the stated he worked in.  There were stories of the ladies in the kitchens spoiling the young computer boy in the blue suit with fried okra, grits, sweet tea and other southern delicacies. Later, Kevin moved to Seattle, Bellevue and then Anacortes, Wash., for a successful career in the computer industry.
Kevin’s dream was to open a craft beer brewery in Lewistown with a tasting room. He discussed this possibility many time with J.R. Walling and Brett Thackery. Kevin brewed great beer and was known in the area for his special Hefeweizen that had under tones of banana flavors. He was active in the brewing community in Seattle, becoming a certified beer judge. He did some judging locally at events in Lewistown such as the Central Montana Fair and the Winter Fair contests.
Kevin was considered a genius by his friends and acquaintances and we will miss his innovative ideas and visions for the future.
With much gratitude to the Hospice team, Kevin died peacefully at his home.
He is survived by his brother,Paul, of Estacada, Ore.;  and his special friend, Linda Stiff, of Lewistown.
No services are planned for Kevin Winden. A memorial picnic will be planned for later in the summer. At his request, cremation has taken place. The Cloyd Funeral Home and Cremation Service are assisting the family.
Friends are asked to make memorials to Hospice of Central Montana or the charity of their choice and they may be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home.  Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com
 

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