Carl John Winkers, age 77, of Fennimore, passed away Sunday, April 1, 2018, at his residence in rural Fennimore surrounded by his loving family after a courageous three year battle with pancreatic cancer. Carl was born on Sept. 27, 1940 in Montfort, WI the son of John and Beatrice (Bowers) Winkers. He married Bess Jeidy on Jan. 16, 1960 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomington.
After graduating from Montfort High School in 1958, Carl studied to be a doctor at UW-Platteville before returning home to pursue his love of farming. Carl and Bess began farming in the Montfort area until moving 54 years ago to the farm where they currently reside along Highway 18 east of Fennimore. Carl was a simple man who had two joys in life, family and farming. He enjoyed sports of all kinds whether it be watching a game or playing with his children and grandchildren. He also loved playing cards and working on his immense stamp collection. Carl liked buying cattle, working in the woods around the farm and manning the controls of his skid steer. He was the family’s rock and his gentle smile and encouraging advice instilled courage and strength in those he loved.
Carl is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Bess of Fennimore; seven children and 18 grandchildren, Ellen Mae (Gilbert) Severson of Black Earth and their children Rory, Trina, Cary and Alex; Mary Jayne (Kevin) McCartney of Linden and her daughters Amanda and Candice; Sandra (Francis) Lenz of Lancaster and their daughter Jennifer; Carl John II (Patty) Winkers of Fennimore and their children
Carl III, Jessica and Benjamin; Jody Paul (Tammy) Winkers of Mazomanie and their children Nicole, Nathan, Tony and Travis; Jeff (Joan) Winkers of Fennimore and his children Jeff II and Whitney; and Yvette Updike of Baraboo and her daughters Briette and Brelynn; 15 great grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren; sister LaVon (Stan) Flesch of Prairie du Sac; brothers Gary (Mona) Winkers of Fennimore, John Winkers Jr. of Madison, and David (Debbie) Winkers of Fennimore, and brother-in-law Charles Jeidy of Bloomington.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents and grandsons Brandon Winkers and Francis Michael Lenz.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, April 6, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fennimore with burial to follow in the Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. on Thursday evening April 5, 2018, at Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore.