It is with a heavy heart that the Winnem family shares with you, the passing of Leif Howard Winnem, 55 of Lynnwood. Husband, father, son, brother and grandfather. He died August 16th, 2018 by his own hand after a long battle with depression.
Leif was born May 15th, 1963 in Seattle to Helen and Howard Winnem. He was the eldest of three brothers. He graduated from Woodway High School in 1981 and remained in the area his entire life. He loved the Pacific Northwest and all of its beauty.
Leif was the nicest guy you could know. He was compassionate, kind, giving, loving, honest, and loyal. To him, there were no strangers: only friends he hadn’t met yet. He could talk to anyone and would know their whole life story by the end. He would pull over and help anyone change a flat tire. Others came first, and he was always wiling to lend both hands. He was a good father to his children and step children.
Leif enjoyed music of all kinds, especially live music and attended many concerts. One of his favorite bands was AC/DC which he saw in concert six times. He loved to play name that song in the car, knowing all the answers without fail. He will be called to mind in the melodies that were his favorites.
A carpenter by trade, Leif worked for Dunn Lumber for 33 years. He was a man of immense talents. He could fix anything, build or remodel anything and accepted from himself nothing short of perfection. If you could describe it, he could build it; no plans were needed. He loved teaching and sharing his talents and never considered it work. Leif’s legacy is his family, work, and pride in everything he touched and created.
Leif is survived by his wife, Loria Winnem of Lynnwood, his mother and father, Helen Smith (Arnold Smith) of Everett, and Howard Winnem of Brinnon. His brothers Bryan Winnem and Chris Winnem both of Edmonds, one son Nick Winnem of Marysville, daughters Brittany Winnem of Lynnwood, Shawna Mulder of Snohomish, one grandson, Landon, and three sons by marriage, Robert, Frank and Joseph Koenig of Lynnwood. Plus many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday September 9th at 4:00 pm at The Nile Shrine Golf Center, 6601 244th St. SW, Mountlake Terrace. Please consider donating to mental health in Leif’s name.
Leif and his kind heart, giving nature and many talents will be greatly missed by many.