Keith Dean Winn

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Ferron – Our beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend, Keith Dean Winn, age 92, passed away on Dec. 17, 2013 in St. George. Keith was born Dec. 2, 1921 in Preston, Idaho to Alfred Dean and Bertha Wilamena Nuffer Winn. He married Elizabeth Harris on Aug. 4, 1944 in the Manti LDS Temple.
Keith was raised in Nephi, Utah as the oldest child in a large and loving family. He learned to work as soon as he learned to walk, and was driving a team of horses on the family farm by the time he was seven years old. He enjoyed a close relationship with his parents and a lifelong friendship with his siblings and extended family.
Keith served his country in the U.S. Navy in Pearl Harbor, during World Ward II. Keith and Elizabeth were happily married for 69 years, and their family was their greatest joy. They lived in Nephi from their marriage until 1954, and moved to Magna where Keith was employed by Kennecott Copper until a back injury forced him to retire in 1973. The family moved to Ferron, Utah where Keith built and worked his ranch for the next thirty-plus years.
Keith and Beth were parents, first and foremost, and enjoyed a loving, happy relationship with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They also served as surrogate parents and grandparents to many people, young and old. Their door was always open, and every visitor was treated like family. Three generations of family, many friends, and neighbors treasure memories of Christmas Eve parties, dinners and other get-togethers with Keith and Beth.
Keith was a lifelong cowboy and stockman. He was an expert horse trainer and breeder who developed a line of working and performance horses that is still widely known. He competed in every rodeo event, was a rodeo entertainer and clown, and organized and produced rodeos. He fulfilled his lifelong dream by building the San Rafael Ranch in Ferron, which remains in his family. His endless optimism and energy, coupled with the support of his loving wife, enabled Keith to succeed in many business ventures. Keith was happiest when he was on horseback. He survived numerous horse-related injuries and was still in the saddle after his 90th birthday.
A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Keith served faithfully in a variety of callings He served a full time mission in Oceola, Iowa with his wife, and they later served together as ordinance workers in the Manti Temple.
Keith is survived by eight of his nine children: Katherine (Grant) Jenkins of Ferron, Richard Larry Winn of Ferron, Melody (Merlin) Weber of Ferron, Heidi (Gil) Bowden of Ferron, Sherry (Dennis) Worwood of Ferron, Travis (Julie) Winn of Ferron, Kash (Valerie) Winn of Ferron, and Cody (Maria) Winn of Douglas, Arizona; 47 grandchildren and 94 great-grandchildren. Also survived by a brother, Chad (Vernice) Winn and sisters Joyce Mikkelson, Delores Carter, Melba (Rex) Cook, and Christine (Max) Nielson; sister-in-law LaVerl Winn and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth, who passed away only 72 days before Keith; his parents; a son, Keith Harris Winn; granddaughters Clancey Jo Winn and Amber Rose Jenkins; great-grandson, Jonas Shane; brother, DeVon Winn; and brother-in-law Allan Mikkelson.
Funeral services were held Monday, Dec. 23, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Ferron LDS Stake Center 555 South 400 West. A viewing was held Sunday evening, Dec. 22 from 5-7 p.m. at the Stake Center and Monday Dec. 23 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Stake Center prior to the services. Interment will be in the Ferron City Cemetery. Services are in the care of Fausett Mortuary. Friends and family may sign the guest book and share memories of Keith at www.fausettmortuary.com.