Duane Elvin Winkel
September 15, 1941 ~ May 26, 2017
Duane E. Winkel, 75, George, IA, was received into Heaven Friday, May 26, 2017, on his farm from massive heart problems.
The Funeral Service may be streamed live through the following link…. tabernaclechurch.com tbc live 10:30 AM
Visitation will be from 3:00 ~7:00pm, Tuesday, May 30, 2017, at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA with family present 5-7pm. Celebration of Life services will be 10:30am, Wednesday, May 31, also at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Interment will be at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery, with Full Military Honors.
Duane Elvin Winkel was born September 15, 1941, on a farm north of George Iowa to William and Lila (Mueller) Winkel. He was the second of four children and grew up attending a one-room country school through 8th grade before attending and graduating from George High School. Duane then attended the Universal Trade School in Omaha for automotive mechanics. Upon his completion, he was called into service by the US Army and stationed in Korea in 1964. When he was discharged from his service, Duane worked for many years in local auto dealerships as an auto mechanic and assisted his father on the family farm. On August 5, 1967, Duane married Alvah Meinerts in Emery, SD. The couple lived in Rock Rapids for approximately one year until resettling across the road from his parents where they farmed for the next 35 years. Duane and Alvah eventually relocated to Duane’s family homestead where they farmed until his death.
Duane’s joyful personality and weathered broad smile easily made him known as the go-to-guy if ANYONE ever needed ANYTHING. He would be there to help and lend assistance. Whether it was custom baling hay or harvesting crops, fixing a piece of machinery, cleaning up a farm after a tornado, or remodeling your basement, Duane could be found first on the scene. Duane was also known as a “guy and a trailer” moving service. If anyone needed to go somewhere, he was there with the trailer and packing blankets to ramrod the project.
Duane was a lifelong member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church in George where he served on various boards as well as the Sunday School Superintendent and was an usher that always could be found in the foyer helping anyone that came in. Duane was also a member of the George American Legion Post 404 and served on the Liberal Township Fire board for many years.
Duane will be deeply missed by his business partner and wife of almost 50 years, Alvah; two foster children, Willis Fletcher and Dede Fletcher and her daughters, Courtney, Abigail and Drenda; three siblings, Ronald (Elaine) Winkel, Sioux Falls, Lois Lafrenz, and Marvin (Sharon) Winkel, of George; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Oryn and Pat Meinerts, George; five nephews and nieces, Todd Winkel, Brandon, SD, Chad Winkel, Sioux Falls, SD, Karen Meyer, George, IA, Ronda Winkel, Eugene, OR, and Jodi Daniels, George, IA; six great-niece and nephews, Dalana Jo and Payton Winkel, Brandon and Braden Meyer, and Sawyer and Simon Daniels.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents and one infant daughter, Karla.
My sympathies to the Winkel family. I will always remember Duane coming to my parents house on a late Sunday afternoon to cut my dragging muffler off my car when my family was visiting Mom and Dad. I so appreciated him coming on short notice to help me out. That is Christian community and a great example of sharing God’s love.
Walter Reemtsma (Paul’s brother)
Duane was my brother-in law for nearly 50 years. He usually called me “brother” to which I responded, “in-law.” He was truly a brother to me. He had a big servant heart helped me and my wife Pat in so many ways such as providing a car for us when we returned from our tour of duty in Cameroon. Duane and my sister Alvah, who also has a servant heart, took care of our financial matters while we were in Africa for almost 40 years and provided a trailer or moved us when we came back to the U.S. on home assignment. Pat and I valued Duane’s advice. He always had a good sense of what we needed. He was a very generous man. He often said, “If you need any money, just ask your sister!” Fortunately, we never had to ask for that kind of help. Above all, Duane loved and served his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ faithfully. He was Christ’s good and faithful servant who died with his boots on. Both Pat and I are thankful to have had such a great brother-in-law.
Duane was a very special guy. He was quick to smile and laughed easily. He loved God, loved his family and loved his church. He had a generous and compassionate heart.
You knew when he said, “let me put it this way …” You were about to get a great pearl of wisdom or good advice.
Stopping there periodically while raising missions support, besides providing hospitality, Duane would ask the question, “How’s your tank?” My tank left full and my heart as well knowing I had been with good people whose hearts were full of God. Duane Winkel – a great blessing!
Gary & Ruth Kirchoff
Our condolences to the family and friends who will miss Duane! He definitely used his God-given spiritual gift of helps and was faithful in serving the Lord at the Tabernacle Baptist Church and in the community. We are keeping the family in our prayers and thankful to be assured he is with the Savior he served while he served others.
John & Freda
It’s hard to put into words what Duane Winkel meant to us. The Winkel family has had a strong bond with ours, beginning with my grandparents and parents. Duane and Alvah have been faithful supporters as we serve on the mission field. One of the biggest highlights of coming home from Africa on home assignments was to visit the Winkel farm. Duane always accepted us as his own family. He let our kids drive the tractors and the 4-wheeler. The kids loved being around the animals. We enjoyed baling hay, plowing the fields, working on equipment and much more with Duane. It was therapy for me after a heavy schedule of speaking and presenting the mission work around the country. I just needed to get my hands dirty and there was no better place to do that than with Duane. He would always say, “Do you need anything?” And yes, the parting question was always, “Is your tank full?” Duane was one of the most down-to-earth, generous, encouraging men I have ever met. Our home assignments will never be the same.
Ron and Donna Pontier
Our sympathy to Duane’s family. He will be missed by many, not seeing his friendly face when entering Tabernacle church will seem strange.
Duane always had a positive friendly additude and always ready to lend a helping hand.