Anita Schindler, 69, Fessenden, passed away Sunday, September 28, 2014 at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd in New Rockford. Her funeral will be held Saturday, October 4, at 10:30 a. m. at the First Lutheran Church in Fessenden with burial at the Hillside Cemetery of Fessenden. Visitation will be held Friday from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Nelson Funeral Home in Fessenden.

Anita Winterberg, daughter of John E. And Marie (Peters) Winterberg, was born June 22, 1945 at Mitchell, SD. She moved with her parents at the age of 4 to Miltonvale, KS where they lived for seven years before moving to Huron, SD. Following her mother's death Anita and her father moved to Sturgis, SD. In 1962 they moved to Fessenden, ND where Anita's father served as pastor of the Church of the Nazarene.

Anita graduated from Fessenden High School in 1963 and, on July 13 of that year, she was married to Kenneth Schindler. They made their home on the Schindler family farm west of Fessenden and together raised four children. They were married 42 years before Ken passed away on August 1, 2004.

Anita was a stay at home mom while helping with the farm and cattle operation, until 1985 when she began her employment at the Fessenden office of the Herald Press where she worked for 12 years. She later worked at Jerry's Jack and Jill, Call Solutions and as a care giver for LeVon Kirkeide.

Music describes Anita's life and Gospel music was her passion. She began singing at the age of 4 when her father was a Camp Meeting Evangelist and was active in all music programs at the schools she attended. After their marriage, Anita and Ken formed their own music ministry, "Praise and Harmony" which spanned the 42 years of their marriage. Nothing gave her more pleasure than arranging a get together of several singing groups for a day or evening of gospel music for the community to enjoy. Anita enjoyed the challenge of writing and directing the historical pageant "Memories" for Fessenden's Centennial Celebration in 1993. In more recent years she helped organize three "Wells County Version of the Gaither Gatherings" which were presented in Harvey. The "Festival of Gospel Music", at the newly renovated Festival Hall, was also a hit and great fun for Anita to plan. In recent years she enjoyed the Music Minister position at the Church of God Camp. She had also taken an active roll in the Harvey Chapter of the Christian Women's Club following her retirement.

In October of 2004, Anita joined the women's singing group, "Grace Notes". This group of six gals (all ordained trouble makers) sang of God's redeeming love and grace, freely given, even though we are so undeserving.

For many years, Anita and Ken were members of the Church of the Nazarene. In later years she found her church home in the Bowdon Community Church of God where she served as Prayer Co-coordinator and was involved with the Praise Team and music department. Anita truly loved her Lord, her church and her church family.

She leaves behind, her daughter Kay (John) Egliht of Houston, TX; 3 sons, Jeff of Heimdal, Wayne of Fosston, MN and Scot of Shakopee, MN; five grandchildren, Kara Deaton, Kyle Schindler, Hailey Schindler, and Jacob & Hannah Egliht; a great-grandson, Alexander Deaton; a great-granddaughter, Rowen Deaton; 2 brothers, Marion (Lois) Winterberg of Columbus, IN and Ivan (Julie) Winterberg of Brunswick, GA; and 2 sisters, Kathleen (Dan) Baer of Oak Grove, MO and Corrine (Oris) Thompson of Beloit, KS.

Anita was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one sister, Clarice Winterberg Palmer and an infant brother, David Dean Winterberg.

"He was not willing that any should perish, but that all would have everlasting life. He gave himself to that end, but it is our choice alone. It is the most important decision any of us will make. I hope to see you all in Heaven I'll be singing Harmony while I wait for you."

In Him, Anita