Robert Bert Winkel, of Lower Post Lake, died Sunday, December 7, 2008 at Langlade Hospital. He was 75 years old. Born April 15, 1933 in Ada, WI to the late Matthew and Olive (Roeder) Winkel.
He graduated from Kiel High School in 1951.
On February 13, 1954, he married Kathleen Ann McEnroe at St. Mary Catholic Church, Eden, WI.
She preceded him in death on March 24, 1998

Following his marriage he worked briefly for Kohler Company. He and his wife then moved to St. Anna and joined his father's fur farm, which they operated from 1956 through 1991, ending the longest active mink farm in the United States. In addition, they also operated a fur processing plant and cash cropped. He was a part time truck driver for Bremer Manufacturing in St. Anna and he owned and operated produce trucks for the canning companies. He was a school bus driver for the Kiel and New Holstein areas. He served on the St. Anna volunteer fire department. The couple moved to Post Lake in 1991. They purchased Silver Moon Springs trout hatchery at Elton in 1978, which he operated until his retirement in 2000. In his retirement he remained active in the business.
He was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, Elcho and the Post Lake Improvement Association. He was a former long time member of St. Ann Catholic Church. He served as past president of Winnebago East Shore Lions Club and former supervisor and chairman of the Town of Russell. He served on many aquaculture association committees and boards including past president of the Wisconsin Aquaculture Association. He also was a member of the Kettle Moraine Mink Breeders Association.

Survivors include special friend, Kay Petersen Upper Post Lake, 2 daughters, Patricia Ann (Scott) Christel-Diener Sheboygan, Carol Jean (Gene) Fhlug New Holstein; 6 sons, Thomas Winkel Rural Elkhart Lake, Timothy (Brigitte) Winkel Elton, Terrance (June) Winkel Rural Elkhart Lake, Theodore (Marna) Winkel New Holstein, Todd (Becky) Winkel Sheboygan, Michael Winkel Elkhart Lake; 16 grandchildren, Jason, Jerome, Danielle, Mallory, Steven, Megan, Samuel, Samantha, Scarlette, Alexander, Katelyn, Hannah, Hattie, Jared, Grace,and Robert; 2 sisters, Louise (John) Schmitz St. Cloud, Lois (Jim) Penkwitz Plymouth; 2 brothers, Earl (Alyce) Winkel Elkhart Lake, Math (Bernice) Winkel Jr, Elkhart Lake; 2 sisters-in-law, Rosemary Berg Fond du Lac, Patricia (William) Ales San Diego, CA; 3 brothers-in-law, Edward (Joan) McEnroe Rhinelander, John (Ruth) McEnroe Rhinelander, Patrick (Mary) McEnroe Columbus, OH;

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and brother-in-law William Berg.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 6:00pm at St. Ann Catholic Church with Rev. Richard Mirsberger officiating. Burial will take place in St. Ann Cemetery on Friday. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 10 from 3:30 to 7pm with a parish wake service at 7pm at Bradley Funeral Home in Antigo and Thursday from 3pm to 6pm at St Ann Catholic Church.

A special thank you to the ICU staff of Langlade Hospital and Dr. Lakshmi Deep and her nursing staff for the compassion and care given to our Dad.
Online condolences at bradleyfh.com.

Services