Ernest R Winkelmann

Funeral Services for Ernest R. "Ernie" Winkelmann will be held on Friday, February 26, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege, Nebraska with the Reverend Darren Stroh, officiating. Interment will be in the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege with military honors presented by Martin Horn American Legion Post #66 in conjunction with the U.S. Army National Guard Honors Team.

Ernest Robert Winkelmann, 86 years of age, of Aurora, Colorado, passed away on Monday, February 22, 2010 at the Parker Adventist Hospital in Parker, Colorado. He was born on October 17, 1923 in St. Paul, Minnesota, the third of four children born to Ernest Henry and Mary Jane (Luntsford) Winkelmann. Ernie attended school in Rock Glenn, Canada.

Ernie worked as a farmer on various local farms until enlisting in the U. S. Army in October of 1944. Ernie served in Occupation Japan and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was awarded multiple decorations for his service throughout his career.

In November 1951, he married Shirlee Ward in Franklin, Nebraska and later moved to Denver. To this union three children were born: Gail, Jim, and Cheryl. After being honorably discharged from the Army in August of 1954, Ernie went to work for the Fuller Brush Company. He began selling real estate in 1970.

At the time of Ernie's death, he was married to Ina June (Leopold) Winkelmann. They married on June 1, 1993 in Littleton, Colorado and have resided in the Denver area. They are members of the Smoky Hill Baptist Church in Centennial, Colorado.

Besides his parents, Ernie was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirlee; his brother, Joseph; granddaughter, Lindsay Whitaker; and step-son, Ernest Wray Winkelmann.

He is survived by his wife, Ina June; one son, Jim R. Winkelmann and his wife, Laura of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; two daughters: Gail L. Wagner and her husband, Monte of McCook, Nebraska , Cheryl A. Fox of Libby, Montana; four step-daughters: Bertha Jane Trivett and her husband, Lee of Universal City, Texas, Pamela Sue Smith and her husband, Ron of Holdrege, Joetta June Raike and her husband, Scott of Omaha, Nebraska, and Judith Kay Graser and her husband, Toby of Blair, Nebraska; twenty-one grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; one brother, Melvin Winkelmann of Mesa, Arizona; one sister, Lois Stacy and her husband, Ron of Holdrege; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Holdrege.

A memorial has been established in his memory and in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Ernie.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.