Ellen Emelia (Haverkamp) Winkler, age 84, passed away Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at Country Place Senior Living in Seneca.

Ellen was born July 7, 1934 in Sabetha, KS, the daughter of Edwin and Elizabeth Sudbeck Haverkamp.  She attended St Mary’s schools in St. Benedict where she was class president and attended college at Mount Saint Scholastica College in Atchison, KS.

Ellen married Albert L Winkler on January 17, 1953 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, KS on his leave from the Marine Corps. They initially lived at the Marine base at 29 Palms in California and then moved to their farm south of Kelly, KS. There they farmed until 1967 until they moved to Manhattan, KS where Albert completed graduate school. After this, they moved to various college towns where Albert taught and Ellen and Albert raised their nine children.  Together, Ellen and Albert celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2003 and most recently their 66th anniversary in 2019.

While raising her nine children, Ellen also worked in various occupations throughout her life including a bank teller, a real estate agent, bookkeeper for Riley County EMS and a project estimator for Industrial Millworks in Seneca. She retired in 2005 and raised cattle with her husband on their farm south of Kelly. In 2012, they moved to Seneca.

Ellen placed her faith, husband and family above all else.  She was in her glory and happiest when surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and made each of her grandchildren an afghan for their high school graduation.  Ellen thoroughly enjoyed painting, Native American art and taking her children to orphanages and nursing homes when they were younger. In 1978, she traveled with her mother to reconnect with relatives in Ireland and Germany.  

Ellen was a member of St. Bede’s Parish in Kelly and involved in the parish Altar Society. She was also involved in various Booster Clubs and PTAs while her children were young.

Ellen is survived by her husband, Albert and nine children, Joan (Jim) Lueger, Seneca ; Jayne (Bart) Harvey, Carmel, IN; Mary (Owen) Geisz, Fairway, KS, Joe (Susan) Winkler, Lincoln, NE, Rod (Sharon) Winkler, Sabetha, KS, Mark (Dawn) Winkler, Corning, KS,  Bonnie (Jim) Wetzel, Orland Park, IL, John Winkler (former wife, Lena Gruenbacher), Manhattan, Ks, and David (Kara) Winkler, Prairie Village, KS. 27 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren with 2 on the way, two sisters, Lillian (Clarence) Engelken and Eunice (Leroy) Winkler, life-long friends, Tom and Sue McGuire, brother-in-law, Marvin (Theresa) Winkler and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Elizabeth Haverkamp, and a dear friend and sister-in-law, Eleanor (Winkler) Hermesch.

Rosaries will be prayed at Lauer Funeral home on Friday, March 8th at 2 and 7 pm. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 9th with burial following in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be left to Lauer Funeral Home for Benedictine Sisters at Mount St. Scholastica, St. Bede’s Building Fund and St. Labre Indian School in Ashland, Montana.

Lauer Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .