Of his parents, Lloyd wrote . .

“My first memories (about 5 years old) in South Dakota of my dad, Carl Windh, were the horses he loved and raised, the best horses in the area. The colts would follow him. One of the best farmers in the area, best looking farm, the buildings and especially the house, a real farm house. Definitely the best equipped farm. The house was built the year I was born (1915).

Dad had a riding horse he never rode; he loved to walk and the horse followed him. He had the horse “in case I get in a hurry.” He was a very hard worker. I had lots of heart to heart talks with Dad. He never mentioned the loss of moving from South Dakota to Canada, and Mom would only say what she missed, like the hot water, but not complaining about it.

Mom patched and patched, especially pants for all, and was probably the first to make double-knee pants, and she would sew and sew late at night. I remember all the people coming to the house for coffee and cake, almost daily, kids and adults.

Everybody thought we were crazy for all the water we used, at least 50 gallons per day. We went for water every day, we hauled it by barrels full.

I remember seeing Dad in the hospital and I thought he was dead. I was holding his hand and the doctor came in and said Dad was waiting for me and that he would not last until morning. Dad heard the doctor and said he was going to prove the doctor wrong. He did. A few months before he died he said he was done “just existing” and so he started doing some things. He died shortly after that.

One of the biggest surprises was when Dad could ride a bike; this was in Tacoma. He jumped on the bike and rode.

I remember Mom and her practical jokes . . . putting chicken manure in the chocolates she made, and Uncle Chris swiping them. Dad wore a mustache and she put gum on it while he was sleeping so he would have to shave. I remember how long Dad’s upper lip looked. In every house we moved into in Canada, Mom was always fighting bed bugs, burning with alcohol, and also papering with brown paper.

I remember Dad’s 1919 Dodge, thinking it was really something. I was amazed at what he knew about flowers, trees and plants; he knew all their names. Mom loved flowers too, but the goat would eat them so Dad would tie him up.

I have some great memories of both my parents. “[Written in 1989.]

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It is said that Lloyd had occasional problems with alcohol.
In 1998 Lloyd had a minor stroke and moved into an assisted living complex in Tacoma, WA.

An unsigned letter dated Nov. 9, 1998, perhaps written by Marian Bowman, tells of Lloyd’s stroke and also that his son Dean is “in a boarding home and likes it a lot and is going to computer school. It was really lonely for him after Virginia died as Lloyd didn’t seem to know how or whatever to get involved with Dean.”

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Obituary published November 30, 2000, in the Tacoma News:

Lloyd (Windy) Windh
Lloyd, 85, passed away on Nov. 27th. He was born in Groton, South Dakota on Aug. 22, 1915. Preceded in death by his wife of 50 years,Virginia and brother Perry.
Survived by two sons, Lee and Dean Windh, both of Tacoma, WA; daughter Mary Larsen (Dave) of Spokane, WA; two grandchildren, Ryan and Kelly Larsen; Five sisters, Marion Bowman, Elaine Schurb, Ruth Spiegel, Jewell Mason and Doris Granito; three brothers, Milton, John and Carl Windh.
 
Lloyd was a machinist, a member of the VFW and the Elks. He was an avid bowler for many years. He enjoyed repairing and selling cars. No services will be held in accordance with Lloyd#s wishes. 

 Pub Date: 11/30/2000
 Tacoma News