Cristine WINKLER

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

WINKLER: Cristine Ethel Winkler passed away peacefully, with her family by her side, on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Cristine was born on April 22 at Harmsworth, Manitoba just north of Virden. She was born of Danish immigrant parents, Carl and Christina Winkler. Cristine attended Joslin School for her elementary years. Her father was the CPR station agent, the Lake of the Woods elevator agent, the postmaster, and the local blacksmith for the farming community of Harmsworth so she could find many ways of entertaining herself in her childhood. When her brother, Carl went to the University of Manitoba, her mother, her sister, Connie and she moved to Winnipeg for a year to be with Carl. Here she attended grade 8 at Calvin Collegiate. The family moved to Virden, MB in 1927 where she finished her schooling in Virden Collegiate. Cristine worked for Syndicate Construction as a bookkeeper for a short time and then when her father died, Cristine at 23 years of age, took over her father’s position in Virden as a warehouse manager for Ogilvie Five Roses. She was one of the first, if not the first, female warehouse managers. She sold flour products to the stores and bake shops in Virden as well as managing the Ogilvie Five Roses warehouse for 29 years. While living in Virden, Cristine bowled with the CNIB for years and was one of the first members of the bowling club. She would travel by bus for her weekly bowling date and to Winnipeg to attend special CNIB functions accompanied by her nieces. Upon her retirement in 1966 she moved to Brandon. Here she became involved in many organizations. Cris co-founded Horizons Unlimited which was a blind club activity group that met at Hillcrest Place. She was a member of the Eastern Star, the Circus Daddy Club of Karton Temple White Shrine, National Geographic Society, and the Brandon Garden Club. Cris travelled all over Manitoba and Saskatchewan with senior bus tours. Her quest for knowledge was never ending. Cristine’s attributes were numerous. Her love of books started at an early age as did her love of animals, especially cats. She befriended and fed every stray cat that sauntered through her yard. She travelled the world through her books. Writing was a particular interest to her. Many of her short stories were printed in the Winnipeg Free Press in her younger years. Cris liked to keep up with the local as well as global news. Her radio was always on at news time. Flowers and gardening were a love of hers. She was broad minded and would stick up for the youth and the less fortunate. She was a good sport and wasn’t afraid to take part in activities even if she was visually impaired. In earlier years, you could find her skating at the old Wheat City Arena on Sundays. Since she was unable to drive she would walk miles all over Virden and Brandon. She was caring, compassionate person who truly cared about her friends. Cristine received many awards in her lifetime. Brandon University awarded her with the Order of the Sheaf for her United Nations work. The Marquis Project awarded her with a life membership as did the Brandon Garden Club. The Canadian Red Cross awarded her with a Certificate of Merit as well as the University of Manitoba for the “Aging in Manitoba Study”. She was also awarded the Good Medal of Hope from Lions International and a Twenty Year Subscriber’s Special Award for the Circus Daddy Club Khartum Shriners. A Celebration of Cristine’s Life was held at St. Mary’s Anglican Church in Brandon on Friday, August 30, 2013 with Rev. Fr. Sean Beahen officiating. Interment took place at Bennett Cemetery north of Virden at Harmsworth, MB. Pallbearers were Sam Lennon, Bob Thompson, Don Lennon, and John Lennon. Honorary Pallbearers were George Carmichael, Sharon Taylor, Sandra Thompson and Terri Deller. Cristine was predeceased by her parents, Carl and Christina Winkler, her brothers, Alex (Hazel), Tony (Eulalia), Carl (Peggy), Stanley (5 months) and sister, Connie (Jack) Stacey; nieces Carole Craig, Velda Ross Smith, Dolores Winkler; nephews Dale Winkler, and Carl Winkler Jr. Cristine is survived by: nieces and their families, Myrna Lennon (Sam), Shirley Thompson (Bob), Linda Winkler, Shirley Vint (Brian); nephews and their families Gary Winkler, Warren Winkler (Ruth), Wally Winkler (Ruth), Doug Craig, and good friend George Carmichael. If friends so desire, donations may be made to Brandon Humane Society, 2200-17th Street East, Brandon, MB R7A 7M6, the Marquis Project, P.O. Box 50045, Brandon, MB R7A 7E4 or to a charity of your choice. Brockie Donovan were in charge of the arrangements.

As published in Brandon Sun on Nov 09, 2013