Joan E. Winkler

Joan E. Winkler passed away on Dec 27, 2020 at Hatton Prairie Village in Hatton ND.

Joan Evelyn (Hegle) Winkler was born in Lisbon, ND on May 27, 1931 to Henry and Selma (Storhaug) Hegle.  She was raised on the family farm near Lisbon ND.  Joan attended grade school in the Aliceton one room country schoolhouse.  She graduated from Lisbon High School in 1948.

Joan moved to Fargo, ND where she worked at Dakota Clinic as receptionist.

Joan married James “Jim” Winkler of Fargo, ND on May 21, 1954.  They raised their family in Fargo and were married for 54 years until Jim passed away in 2008.

After getting married, Joan was homemaker raising their three daughters, Cheryl, Debi and Kathy, along with a niece, Julie and nephew, Jim.  After being separated from her child at birth, Joan was reunited with her daughter, Alice later in life.

For many years, Joan provided daycare in her home.  Each child held a special place in her heart.  She remained in contact with many through the years.

Joan was active in variety of things as her children were growing.  She was a leader in Bluebirds, Brownies and the PTA.  For many years, she organized the summer skating school for the Red River Valley Figure Skating Club along with sewing many skating dresses and show costumes.  She enjoyed being on a league bowling team and meeting with friends during her monthly Sewing Circle gatherings. Joan loved animals and there were many dogs and cats that shared her home.

Together, Joan and Jim were active in the community.  They were patrons of the Trollwood Performing Arts School and charter members of the Red River Zoo and Fargo Air Museum.  They were long time members of the El Zagel Shrine.  Joan loved getting fancy in her completely coordinated outfits for a night out with Jim at the Elks Club where they could be found dancing in the grand ballroom to their favorite song, Spanish Eyes.

Joan was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Lyle and Donald Hegle, sister-in-law Dianna and her nephews John and James Hegle.  She is survived by her brothers David Hegle of Lisbon ND, Robert (Susan) Hegle of Lisbon ND, Raymond Hegle of Menoken ND, sister-in-law Evelyn Hegle of Lisbon ND,  four daughters, Cheryl (Everett) Severinson of Reynolds ND, Debra (Corey) Hoff of West Fargo ND, Kathy (Brian) Rust of Walcott ND, Alice Rhea of Napa CA, her niece Julianne Hegle of West Lebanon NH, four granddaughters, Gina, Jennifer, Kristen, and Anna, one grandson, Joel, one great granddaughter and seven great grandsons along with many nieces and nephews.

No services are planned at this time.  Interment beside her husband in the columbarium at the Fargo National Cemetery, ND will be at a later date .  Memorials may be directed to Hatton Prairie Village.  Arrangements entrusted to Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead MN