Obit: Winkler, Elsie N. (1915 - 2011)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org  

Surnames: Winkler, Scharf, Ratsch, Helm

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, WI) 09/20/2011

Winkler, Elsie N. (22 MAR 1915 - 18 SEP 2011)

Elsie Winkler, 96, of Granton, died Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, at the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Elsie Norma Scharf was born on March 22, 1915, in the town of Grant, Clark County, Wisconsin, the daughter of Herman and Martha (Ratsch) Scharf. She attended the Zion American Evangelical Lutheran Church School and was united in marriage to Helmuth "Henry" Winkler on Oct. 19, 1935. 

They lived in Chicago, Ill., for 10 years where she worked at the Mars Candy Company. In 1945, they purchased a farm and moved to Granton. Elsie worked as a farm wife and a housewife. She also worked seasonally at Figi's. In 1970, she started her own ceramics business. She made and sold many beautiful ceramics.

She was a member of the Zion American Evangelical Lutheran Church in the town of Grant, where she taught Sunday school and was active in the ladies aid. She and Henry traveled throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. After Henry's death she sold her farm and built a home in Granton, where she lived until entering the Neillsville Care and Rehabilitation Center in September 2011.

She is survived by two sons, Fred (Laurie) Winkler of Granton, and Bruce Winkler of Neillsville; a daughter-in-law, Tena Winkler of Green Bay; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Audrey Scharf of Waukesha; and special friends and neighbors, Roger and Caroline Helm of Granton.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Winkler; her parents, two brothers, three sisters and great-grandson, Jessie Winkler.

Funeral services for Elsie will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, at the Zion American Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton. Pastor Keith Lueneburg will officiate. Music will be provided by Marjorie Dahl, organist. 

Interment will be in the Zion American Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

Casket bearers are her grandchildren, Craig Lewis, Todd Lewis, Kevin Winkler, Steve Winkler, Scott Winkler and Tim Josephson. 

Online condolences may be made at www.geschefh.com. 

The Gesche Funeral Home is assisting Elsie's family with arrangements.