Ella Wilhelmina Bertha (Bischoff) Winkelmann, age 96, passed away on Jan. 25, 2006, at the Imperial Manor Nursing Home.

Ella was born on Nov. 26, 1909, the youngest of nine children of John H. and Minnie (Kastens) Bischoff, who emigrated from Germany to America in 1893. They settled south of Enders on the South Divide where Ella was born. She was baptized on Dec. 25, 1909, and confirmed on May 25, 1923, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

As a child, Ella first attended the German school affiliated with St. Paul's Lutheran Church, but because her father wanted her to learn English, she transferred to Lincoln School, located on the South Divide where she graduated from the eighth grade. After her father's retirement from farming in 1927, Ella moved with her parents to Culbertson where she became reacquainted with Alfred Winkelmann. They were married at the Culbertson Lutheran Church on Sept. 2, 1930.

She loved flowers and was delighted to have a large basket adorning the church for their wedding. Wink was a Ford dealer and the couple lived in Culbertson, Palisade and Benkelman before finally settling in Imperial in 1941. Wink and Ella had four children: Don, Jean, Jim and David. From the time their oldest son was born until the youngest son left for college 42 years had elapsed.

Ella was a homemaker who, along with her love of flowers, enjoyed changing the decor of their home. She was an avid reader. A great listener, she took joy in spending time with her family and encouraging them in their endeavors. She had a wonderful sense of humor and could easily laugh at herself. After her family was grown she worked as a clerk in several stores in Imperial.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wink, in 1994; and her brothers and sisters, Henry Bischoff, Minnie Denker, Bill Bischoff, Fred Bischoff, John Bischoff, Bertha Denker, Carl Bischoff and Sophia Nordhausen.

Ella is survived by her children, Don of Santa Fe, N.M., Jean and her husband, Bob Hardy, of McCook, Jim and his wife, Sara, of Waukesha, Wisc. and David and his wife, Katherine, of Athens, Ohio. Also surviving are eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Jan. 28 at the Zion Lutheran Church with Rev. David Kahle officiating. Music was provided by the Senior Choral Choir. Pallbearers were Don Winkelmann, Jim Winkelmann, David Winkelmann, Bob Hardy, Steven Hardy and Steve Vrana. Interment followed the services at Mount Hope Cemetery in Imperial. Liewer Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Contributed by Marilyn