Theresa Marie Winkler, 87, of Seneca, Kansas died at her home on Saturday, March 8, 2025, surrounded by her family.

Theresa was born on February 23, 1938, the daughter of Frederick and Mary (Wessel) Hermesch in Kelly, Kansas, the youngest of 16 children. She grew up in the Kelly area and graduated from Kelly High School in 1956.

Theresa was united in marriage to Marvin Joseph Winkler on February 12, 1957 AT St. Bede’s catholic Church in Kelly.  They celebrated 63 wonderful years of marriage together.

Marvin and Theresa lived on their farmstead near Corning until moving to Seneca in 2004. Theresa lovingly raised their 7 children and was actively involved in the farming operation with Marvin. Theresa took pride in sewing all her children’s clothes, assuring their Easter and Christmas outfits were always special. Each of her 7 children cherish handmade 25^th wedding anniversary quilts made by Theresa, as do many grandchildren and great-grandchildren their handmade baby quilts and/or crocheted afghans. When Theresa placed her cinnamon rolls or coconut cream pies in family gift exchanges, they were the most sought after and ‘stolen’ gift, as they were always better than anything bought in a store.

Theresa cared for a large garden, prepared meals for not only her family but also for extra workers in the field during busy periods and was the primary truck driver each harvest. Additionally, Theresa had seasonal jobs with Montgomery Wards, JC Penney, Kramer Retail Liquor, and Jorgeson Accounting for many years.

Marvin and Theresa were active members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church while in Corning and provided marriage preparation classes to many young couples in the community. Theresa participated in Kelly Twilighters Unit. In 2004, Marvin and Theresa became parishioners of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca where Theresa was a member of St. Ann’s Altar Society. Theresa cherished the close friendships she made while participating in the Sts. Peter and Paul Quilters.

In addition to her sewing and quilting, Theresa enjoyed playing cards, square dancing, traveling and, most importantly, her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her home was a gathering spot for many family visits, and Theresa welcomed out-of-town nieces and nephews to stay when in Kansas. Her family has many fond memories of Theresa’s oldest sister, Sister Amanda Hermesch’s, annual visits from Colorado.

Theresa provided loving care to Marvin for several years until his death on April 22, 2020.  She is also preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Bernard, Frank, Edwin, Albert, Raymond, Lambert, Fred Jr, Kenneth and Lawrence; and her sisters, Sister Amanda, OSB, Anna Brokamp, Agnes Rempe, Mary Brucken, Rita Buser, and Lucy Hermesch.

Theresa is survived by their seven children, Donna (Owen) Zinke, Janet (Tom) Kramer, both of Seneca, Sharon (Morris) Cordes of Houston, TX, Brian (Barb) Winkler of Corning, Glenn (Kim) Winkler of Colwich, Elaine (Dennis) Ice of Meriden, and Nancy (Roger) Dalinghaus of Laguna Beach, CA; 19 grandchildren and 34 great grandchildren; and two sisters-in-law, Eunice Winkler and Rosalyn Hermesch, both of Seneca.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting memorial contributions be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Church or Nemaha Valley Community Hospital.

A rosary will be prayed on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 at 2 PM and 7 PM at the Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Seneca. Burial will be in the church cemetery.