Margaret Winkels

Margaret Winkels, age 90, received her purple butterfly Angel wings on August 1, 2018.

Margaret was born April 17, 1928 in rural Dent, MN. She was the daughter of Fred Sr. & Ella (Volkmann) Sonnenberg. She was baptized and confirmed at St John’s Lutheran Church in Dora Township, Dent.  She attended country school and graduated in 1946 from Perham High School.

Margaret first job was cleaning cabins at Marion Lake Lodge.  After high school, she worked at Kemper Drug Store, Perham.  She made cherry cokes, banana splits and sundaes at the ice cream bar. She later treated her children by making these ice cream specialties for them in the true sundae dishes.

Margaret married Mathias R. Winkels Jr. July 12, 1957 in Perham, MN.  Matt and Margaret were blessed with four children and raised them in Perham. Matt and Margaret owned and managed Riverside Tent and Trailer Camp. It was here Margaret taught her children life lessons on customer service and good work ethic.  Later Margaret worked at Perco Home Center.  In 1974, Matt and Margaret owned and operated Winkels Carpet Center until their retirement.

Margaret was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.  She supported Matt’s antique car hobby, was a supporter of her children activities and sporting events.  Margaret enjoyed spending time and spoiling her grandchildren. Her motto was “Let them have Fun”.  She let them play dress up, build forts inside and out, taught them sewing, and remembered them with holiday knickknacks.  They will remember her “Brownies”. She preserved many memories for the family by her love for taking pictures. She served the community by volunteering on church committees and the Perham Historical Society.  Her favorite color was purple, collected carnival glass and liked butterflies. She was known to some friends and relatives as “Sunny”.

Preceding Margaret in death were her parents; husband Matt; infant twin sisters; sister Nelda Erickson; and infant grandson Peter Winkels.

Surviving Margaret are her four children: Richard (Patty) Winkels, Sharon (Larry) Haarstad, Roger (Josie) Winkels, and Russell (Sheila) Winkels; her nine grandchildren: Shannon Weir, Sarah Haarstad, Mathias Winkels, Kristofer Haarstad, Nicholas Winkels, Amanda Winkels, Brittany Winkels, Benjamin Winkels and Johanna Winkels; her brother Victor (Janice) Sonnenberg; brothers-in-law Eric Erickson and Alois Winkels; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00 on Sunday, August 5 at Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service in Perham. Visitation will continue from 10:00-11:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:00 on Monday, August 6 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Perham. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Special thanks to the caregivers from the Thomas House and Perham Living-Burlington for the special care they gave her.  Also, thank you to Pastors Ratcliffe & Stohs and nursing home Chaplin Pam who visited her.

Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service, Perham, MN (218) 346-5175 www.schoenebergerfh.com

Margaret's Memorial Folder