Christopher Wells Winters

Christopher Wells Winters left this life peacefully with family by his side on August 10, 2025 at The University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison at the age of 53. Kind, caring, insightful and easy going by nature, Chris endeared himself to many. He was born on February 8, 1972 in Northbrook, Illinois, but spent his formative years in Topeka, Kansas. He was the youngest of six children of Juanita Bradley and Ronald Winters.

Chris enjoyed sports from an early age playing Little League Baseball, basketball in middle school and into high school where he was a guard on the Varsity Basketball team at Topeka West High School. He was an avid tennis player, competing in local tournaments. He was artistically inclined, participated in acting and singing, and excelled in academics. His senior year he was chosen by peers and teachers alike as the outstanding senior boy.

After high school he attended Northwestern University for two years studying pre-med. He transferred to The University of Kansas where he earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology and solidified his love for KU Basketball.

His enjoyment of city life drew him back to Chicago after college graduation where he worked in the service industry and took art classes at The University of Illinois - Chicago. Art, and in particular, photography, became a lifelong interest. When he later moved to New York City in his late 20's, his artistic inclination found an expression as a Graphic Designer for an investment bank where he worked for a decade.

Chris lived in New York City into his 30's and early 40's where he enjoyed the live music scene, the food and culture and just exploring the city. While always interested in psychology, it was his volunteer experience with New York Cares in NYC that inspired him to pivot into the helping profession of Clinical Social Work. Soon after, he attended the Silver School of Social Work at New York University and graduated in 2013. He met his wife in New York, was married for 12 years beginning in 2010 and had one daughter, Lola, from this union.

Chris began his career as a Hospice Social Worker in Chicago, but found his true calling doing individual psychotherapy. He worked for a group practice in Chicago and after moving to Madison, Wisconsin worked for Westside Psychotherapy and then Life Stance. His work with clients in the mental health field brought him much fulfillment and his caring and insight touched many.

Chris especially loved music and sharing music with his friends and family. He loved food, and cooking for others was one of his many love languages. He was passionate about sports and could often be found cheering on his Chiefs, Royals and Jayhawks.

More than anything, he loved being a dad. It brought out the best of his playful nature and sense of humor. He found great pleasure in sharing his favorite things with Lola and they had a special bond over music, legos, art and anything creative. He was nurturing, encouraging and so loving. He was the kind of dad that would spend days working on a 1000 piece puzzle and then let Lola place the last puzzle piece.

Chris's time with us was far too short and he will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his daughter, Lola Winters and her mother, Jillian Winters; brothers, Scott and Ronnie Winters; sisters, Amy and Dana Winters; brother-in-law, John Whitney, niece and nephews, Megan, Ian, Eric and Andrew and his doting dog, Lazy.

He is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Juanita and Richard Bradley; father, Ronald Winters and sister, Susan Winters.

A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held on Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 1:00 pm with a reception following at the Olbrich Botanical Gardens at 3330 Atwood Ave., Madison, WI 53704.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to a 529 College Savings account for his daughter, Lola, that has been established by friends of Chris on the following link: https://gift.my529.org/F69CQM