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1924 Robert 2013

Robert John Winkler

February 16, 1924 — December 4, 2013

Robert J. Winkler, 89, of Sergeant Bluff, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, at a Sioux City hospital.
Services will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Private graveside services will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Robert was born on Feb. 16, 1924, in Reading, Minn., to Matilda and Otto J. Winkler. In his early years, he lived east of Fulda, Minn., on a farm. He was the oldest of seven children. He later lived with his aunt and uncle, Harry and Mil Dalin. He helped them on the farm which he really enjoyed and spoke of often. He later enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He participated in the landing at Normandy. He stayed for a total of 43 days.
After the war, he went back to Wabasha, Minn., where he married the love of his life, Mary Koch. Shortly after the wedding, they moved to Sioux City to make it their home. To this union four children were born, Carole, Mike, Jean and Barb. He worked at local packing houses until he eventually joined the Sioux City Fire Department. He retired with the rank of captain after 35 years. He was so proud to be a fireman. He worked part-time for 25 years with National Roof Company in Sioux City. He opened his own roofing company, Winkler Roofing Company. Later, his son Michael joined him in that business until he retired in 1992. In February 1991, his wife Mary passed away in McAllen, Texas, from complications of heart surgery. He later married Elaine Eichkof.
He loved spending time at his cabin in Springfield, S.D., fishing and boating. Later, he purchased a lake home on Lake Shetek, Minn., where he spent a lot of time. He spent most winters in south Texas to get out of the cold Midwestern weather. He moved back to the Midwest in 2009. Recently, he was residing in an assisted living facility in Sergeant Bluff.
Those left to honor his memory include his four children, Carole (Roger) Hall, Mike (Charlene Brewer) Winkler, Jean (Frank) Wood, and Barbara (Don) Risdal; his wife, Elaine Winkler; 20 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Mary T. Winkler; and two grandchildren.
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