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Bernadine Winkel

December 21, 2020
Otsego, MI

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Winkel, Bernadine M. "Bernie" Otsego, MI Bernie passed away peacefully on Monday, December 21, 2020 in her home at The Fountains in Kalamazoo. She was born August 23, 1924 in Caseville to Elvia and Myrtle (Parks) Nicholl. In her teenage years, she worked with her father and brothers at her family's Caseville Lumberyard. At age 16 she met Ray Winkel at a dance, and they married 5 years to the day after that on March 30, 1946. In 1956 Bernie and Ray moved to Otsego where they owned and operated Winkel Funeral Home together until their retirement in 1984. Bernie was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and was active in the Ladies Guild. She was also a member of the Pipp Hospital Board for many years. In her free time Bernie enjoyed reading, playing cards, sewing and doing needlepoint. She spent many hours on the dance floor with Ray, square dancing and dancing polkas at weddings. Bernie was happiest when surrounded by her family. She loved spending time at Pine Lake and helped to organize WinkelFest, a gathering of her family for the past 37 years. Surviving are her husband of 74 years, Ray; children, Carol (Don) Wuebbling of Ohio, Judy (Tim) Conroy of Connecticut, Jim (Jo Ann) Winkel of Pine Lake and Tom (Carol) Winkel of Grand Rapids; 9 grandchildren, Matt (Leighton) Wuebbling, Monica (Hayle) Chun, Kelwin (Paul) Newman, Kaitlin (Michael) Ervin, Erin (Eric) Nordstrom, Adam (Abby) Winkel, Eric (Jen) Winkel, Andy (Erin) Winkel and Stephanie Ryan; 21 great-grandchildren who lovingly referred to her as Grandma Bernie; sister-in-law, Barbara Schmidt; several nieces and nephews. Over the past 8 years at The Fountains they have welcomed caregivers, Sandy, Crystal, Naomi, Tobi, Lindsey and Tequila into their family and hearts. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Bob and Max Nicholl and by in-laws, Keith and Fran Winkel, Joe Schmidt, Gin Nicholl and Doris Nicholl. Friends may meet with Bernie's family from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM, Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at the Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., December 24, 2020 at Peace Lutheran Church in Otsego, with Pastor Nathaniel Timmermann officiating. Those wishing to attend are asked to pre-register by calling 269-694-6104 or at peaceotsego.org. A live stream and archived copy of the service will be available at peaceotsego.org. Burial will follow at Mountain Home Cemetery in Otsego. In accordance with Covid -19 guidelines capacity limits, masks and social distancing will be required. Contributions in memory of Bernie may be made to Peace Lutheran Church of Otsego or charity of your choice. Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.