Carol A. Winkler
Carol A. Winkler, age 77, of Chilton died on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at her home in Chilton. She was born October 1, 1946 to Leonard & Verena (Nickel) Winkler. At the age of 13, God called her from her loving family and life on the farm to Holy Family Convent where she received her high school and college education.
As a junior sister in the Franciscan Community, she taught school in Waukesha and worked on the Pima and Papago Reservations in Arizona. At that time, God again called her into a new direction, this time working as a lay woman for a Christian ministry to drug addicts called Teen Challenge. For nine years, she worked with Teen Challenge and similar ministries. It was her work with Teen Challenge that took her to Chicago in 1973. Following this she worked 28 years at the Jesuit Provincial Offices in Chicago, a job she greatly loved, working with the International Order of Jesuit Priests and Brothers. In 2009, after a 50 year absence, Carol returned to her hometown and moved into an apartment in the newly constructed Uptown Commons.
In addition to her regular work she became involved in various volunteer ministries through the years, including teaching religion classes to public school children, taking part in pro-life activities, leading a Women’s Prayer and Share, presenting the Gospel to small children, and engaging with residents from a halfway home who struggled with mental illness. During her years in Chilton, she volunteered for several years at the public library with the Story Time Hour for pre-schoolers.
Carol loved living and working with people of all races and nationalities and thanked God for the many and varied opportunities he gave to her to do that. Jesus was the Love of her life.
She is survived by her sisters: Rosemary (Dick) Barcelou, Marlene (Tom) Richart, Carmen (Dan) Van Abel and her brother: Gary (Joan) Winkler. Nieces and nephews include: Paul Barcelou, Amy (Chris) Martin, Alison (Turner) Norris, Aaron Richart, and Lori (Greg) Binversie. Great nieces include: Claire & Landry Martin and Grace Binversie; and a great nephew: Daniel Binversie.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and a Godchild: Kathy Winkler.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (54 E. Main St.) in Chilton with Rev. Jon Thorson officiating. Burial will be in the St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in Stockbridge. A time of visitation will be held at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton from 9:00 am until 10:30 am on Saturday, February 17, 2024. At the time of the service and following, there will be a link available above for those wishing to watch a livestream or archived recording of the service or view flowers and gifts given to the family.
Carol’s family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Ascension Calumet Medical Center in Chilton, the first responders, and Calumet County Home Care and Hospice for their exceptional care and service.