Elsie N Winkler

Elsie Winkler, age 96, of Granton, WI died Sunday, September 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 October 19, 1935. They lived in Chicago, IL 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 travelled 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, WI and Bruce Winkler of Neillsville, WI, a daughter-in-law, Tena Winkler of Green Bay, WI, five grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, six great great grandchildren, a sister-in-law, Audrey Scharf of Waukesha, WI and special friends and neighbors, Roger and Caroline Helm of Granton, WI.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 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at the Zion American Evangelical Lutheran Church in Granton, WI. 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 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday at the Church.Casket Bearers are her grandchildren, Craig Lewis, Todd Lewis, Kevin Winkler, Steve Winkler, Scott Winkler and Tim Josephson. Funeral Home:Gesche Funeral Home4 South Grand AvenueNeillsville, WIUS 54456