Helen L. Winkler (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Helen Louise Winkler, daughter of Leslie Ernest and Phyllis Marjorie Elmore McFarland, was born November 3, 1943, near Dry Nob, Missouri. She departed this life Friday, December 1, 2017, in her home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of seventy-four years, and twenty-nine days.
On June 16, 1962, she was united in marriage to Joe Brackett, and to this union one daughter and two sons were born.
On May 13, 1983, she married Marvin Jay Winkler, and they shared nineteen years before his passing on August 18, 2002.
She was also preceded in death by her parents; a son, Tom Leslie Brackett; and her beloved furry companions, Toot Toot, Precious, Fancy, Tommy Boy, Sammy, Chico, and Prissy.
Helen is survived by a daughter, Susanne Neal, and her husband, Tim, of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, Scott Brackett, of Lebanon, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Mary Brackett, of Belton, Missouri; six grandchildren, Erick Neal, Jesse Vekaryasz, and her husband, Eric, Caleb Brackett, and his wife, Nettie, Dani Fajen, and her husband, Aaron, Paul Wice, and his fiancée, Kerriann Batteglia, and Peter Wice; three great-grandchildren, Aubrey and Maverick Brackett, and Phoenix Wice; a brother, David McFarland, and his wife, Toni, of Lebanon, Missouri; a sister, Glenda Grace, and her husband, Ron, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; an aunt, Dorothy Southard, of Lebanon, Missouri; her two beloved cats, Sassy and Rambo; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends.
She was raised in the Lebanon area, and graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1961. After she and Joe were married, they made their home on their farm, near Lebanon, and lovingly raised their children. Helen was a devoted homemaker to her family and also worked for the H. D. Lee Company for several years. Once she and Marvin were married, they made their home on their beef cattle farm and Helen sold insurance and drove a school bus for several years. Following Marvin’s passing, Helen moved to Springfield for a short time where she worked as a greeter for a Wal Mart Store, and also drove a school bus. Upon retiring, she moved back to Lebanon and made her home.
Helen made her profession of faith in Christ early in her life and was raised in the Antioch Baptist Church. She then belonged to Second Freewill Baptist Church in Lebanon until moving to Springfield where she joined the Cherry Street Baptist Church. After returning to Lebanon, she again attended Second Freewill Baptist Church.
In her spare time she enjoyed cooking, playing with her cats, and watching home improvement shows on television, particularly her favorite show, Property Brothers. She and Marvin had enjoyed traveling and playing cards together. To describe Helen as a slightly crazy cat lady would be a true statement. She had a heart of gold, and a personality that made people instantly like her. While working at Wal Mart, she had numerous wedding proposals from some of her male acquaintances. She could make you laugh while she told one of her wild stories that you would swear she made up, but then discover that it was a true story that happened to her. Her family was very dear to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Helen was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, niece, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and her accomplishments and know that her family and friends will cherish the wonderful memories she created for them during her lifetime.
Memorial contributions may be made to Claws and Paws, and left at the funeral home
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