Philomena A. Winkler, 95, of Seneca, Kansas, died Friday, November 8, 2002, at Country View Estates care home in Seneca where she had been a resident since October 1998.

She was born September 12, 1907, near Kelly, Kansas, the daughter of William and Sophia Novak Kongs. She attended St. Bede’s School in Kelly and was in the first class at the Kelly High School, where she attended one year. She was known as a very fine mathematics student. While she was growing up, she worked in the family hardware store, Kong’s Hardware at Kelly, as well as helping on the family farm.

On April 20, 1927, she married Eugene F. Winkler at St. Bede’s Church in Kelly. They farmed several locations in the Kelly area before settling in 1936 at the Winkler farm south of Kelly. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1977. Her husband Eugene preceded her in death on November 30, 1980. In the spring of 1981, she moved into Seneca.

She was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Church inSeneca and St. Ann’s Altar Society at the church, and was formerly a member of St. Bede’s Church in Kelly.

Survivors are four sons, Linus Winkler of Oneida, Albert and Marvin Winkler, both of Corning, and LeRoy Winkler of Seneca; a daughter, Eleanor Hermesch of Goff; a brother, William Kongs of Wetmore; 37 grandchildren; 95 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two grandsons, Stephen Winkler on June 20, 1974 and William R. Winkler on March 11, 1998; and two brothers, Albert and Sylvester Kongs.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 AM Monday, November 11, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Seneca. Burial will be in St. Bede’s Cemetery in Kelly. A prayer service will be held at 2 PM, with a rosary at 7 PM, on Sunday at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

Memorials may be given for St. Bede’s Cemetery or Sts. Peter & Paul School, and sent in care of the family.