Marilyn M. Winkler

A Funeral Service for Marilyn M. Winkler will be held on Friday, December 17, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. at the Westmark Evangelical Free Church in rural Loomis, Nebraska, with Pastor Noah Tyler officiating.  Interment will follow at the Sandstrom Cemetery in Phelps County, Nebraska.

The funeral service will be live streamed via the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Homes Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/Nelson-Bauer-Funeral-Homes-111601113801622

Marilyn Marie Winkler, 85 years of age, of Minden, Nebraska, formerly of rural Loomis, Nebraska, passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021, at the Bethany Home in Minden.  Marilyn was born on April 25, 1936, in Arnold, Nebraska, born to Melvin and Jessie (Stover) Ricketts.  The family lived on the homestead in Logan County, Nebraska until moving to North Platte, Nebraska, when her father purchased the North Platte Sale Barn.  The family went on to live in Lexington, Nebraska, and Franklin, Nebraska, where they owned and operated the sale barns too.

She received her primary education from Taft School in North Platte, junior high and freshman year at Lexington, and later, attended and graduated from Franklin High School with the class of 1954. Marilyn pursued higher education from Nebraska State Teacher's College in Kearney and received her Bachelors of Science in Home Economics Education.  She taught Home Economics in Cambridge Public Schools from 1957 to 1959, and Minden Public Schools in 1959 to 1961.

On December 26, 1960, Marilyn was united in marriage to Richard Duane "Dick" Winkler at the Methodist Church in Franklin.   At that time, Marilyn was teaching school in Minden, and Dick was committed to farming. When the school year was over, the couple moved to his parent's farmstead north of Loomis. God blessed this union with two children: David and Machelle. After several years, the family moved to their current farm six miles north of Loomis.

Marilyn stayed busy substitute teaching in area schools for many years.  She also worked as a bookkeeper for the Loomis Pig Company, Keford, Inc., and the family farm.  She was also active with the local Extension Club and the Home Economics Club, for many years.  Marilyn served as a 4-H Leader to the Country Girls 4-H Club and on the ESU #11 Board, from 2001-2014.  Marilyn attended Westmark Evangelical Free Church, and taught Sunday school for over 40 years.

Marilyn enjoyed sewing clothes for herself and her daughter.  She loved to bake, especially cookies.  She spent many hours canning tomatoes and fruit, and delivering meals to the field during harvest.

Marilyn and Dick enjoyed following the grandkids in their school activities.  They especially enjoyed following Justin's baseball, basketball, football, and track.  The highlight was attending state basketball tournaments for three years, and seeing the team be runner up and state champion.  Grandma Marilyn taught Jessie how to bake for 4-H cookies and coffeecakes, that went to the state fair.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Dick in 2013; her parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law:  George and Ruby (Farm) Winkler; two brothers-in-law: Dale Winkler in infancy; and Robert Winkler; and one sister-in-law, Lois Winkler, as a young girl.

Marilyn is survived by her two children:  son, David Winkler of rural Loomis; and daughter, Machelle Havenridge and her husband, Jim of Franklin; three grandchildren: Justin Winkler of Loomis; Jessie Havenridge of Franklin; and Meagan Green of Omaha, Nebraska; two great-grandchildren: Jersi and Easton Winkler; one sister-in-law, Theone Winker of Holdrege; one niece, Lisa Havens of Holdrege; one nephew, Scott Winkler of Omaha; along with other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 16, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege.

Memorials are suggested to the family for later designation.

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

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