Memorial Services for 79-year old Bonnie Winkelman of Chadron, NE, are Tues, Nov 29, 2022 at 11:00 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron,.
Burial will be at the Highland Center Cemetery, 12 miles south of Chadron on Hwy 385 and 7 miles west on Table Road.
A memorial has been established to carry on Bonnie’s Tradition of helping a family in need during the holidays. Checks can be made to Ted Winkelman and donations can be sent to Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.
Online condolences may be left at chamberlainchapel.com.
Bonnie Jean Winkelman was born Jan 2, 1943 to Wallace and Vivian Britton and passed away on Nov 15, 2022 at Ponderosa Villa in Crawford, NE.
Bonnie enjoyed growing up on farms close to Crawford. She often shared some of her favorite memories from her youth, her favorite being her rides to school on her horse and her dad’s confusion as to why that horse would come to a complete and sudden stop after a deadpan run at a certain point on the fence.
Bonnie attended high school in Chadron attending the Catholic High School where she met her soon to be husband, Theodore (Ted) Leroy Winkelman. To this union, they brought Theodore (Ted) Leroy Winkelman Jr. The 3 of them enjoyed hunting, fishing, and Ted Jr’s baseball experiences together.
Bonnie held several jobs. She started out as a nursing assistant at Chadron Community Hospital, then worked at the Chadron Record, at Kenwood Elementary as a teaching assistant at Kenwood Elementary, and for the Chicago and NorthWestern Railroad as a clerk before ending her as a dorm monitor at the Pine Ridge Job Corps Center
Bonnie had a passion for helping animals and children. She rescued several dogs, cats, and even a fawn throughout her lifetime. She spoiled her pets relentlessly and also sent Christmas to kids that would not have had gifts otherwise.
Bonnie was an advocate for anyone she felt was disadvantaged. She believed for herself however, “If I can’t do it myself, it doesn’t need done.”
Bonnie had a special relationship with her sister Becky. They were also best friends and Bonnie treasured the time they spent together. They could often be found outside enjoying nature, including picking chokecherries and also rock hunting.
If you ever were fortunate to be with them when they were together you would have experienced a time of pure joy and laughter.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents Wallace and Vivian Britton and her husband Ted Winkelman Sr.
She is survived by her son Ted (Janelle) Winkelman of Chadron, grandson Austin (Sam) and great-grandson Rhett of Hemingford, siblings Becky Amick of Rapid City, SD, brother Tim and brother Mike both of Mabton WA, and nephew Lynn (Jen) Amick of Rapid City.
Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of arrangements for Bonnie Winkelman.
We are sorry to hear of the loss of Bonnie. We are distant kin, with Al’s mother, Yvonne Goolsby Zipperlen, who was in the Britton genealogy. We no doubt visited Bonnie if she attended the Britton family reunions held in Crawford. Those were wonderful times. Our prayers are with you and all the Britton and Winkleman families.
Ted I don’t know if we we are any way related but I am sorry for your loss. Larry Amick Hemingford Ne
My sympathies to the family. I remember Bonnie being my supervisor when I was a paper boy for the Chadron Record many, many years ago.