Norma Winkelmann

Norma Rodenbeck Winkelmann, 98, widow of William Sprain Winkelmann, passed away Tuesday, April 28, 2015. She was born September 16, 1916 to Otto and Anna Jahnke Rodenbeck in the Pleasant Hill Community of Washington Co., Texas, and was baptized April 1, 1917 in Salem Lutheran Church by Rev. Gottlieb Mgebroff. She was confirmed on April 13, 1930, in the same church by the Rev. Wm. Utesch. Norma attended Pleasant Hill School and was a graduate of Brenham High School. She attended Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas. After returning to Brenham, she was the bookkeeper for Savitall Market and Freezitall Locker plant for several years. On May 16, 1937, she was married to William Sprain Winkelmann in Salem Lutheran Church by the Rev. Wm. Utesch. In 1952, when William''s father, F. C. Winkelmann, Sr., retired, she and "Winkie" acquired Winkelmann Photography Studio and operated the business until 1968, when their son, Norman, continued the business. Involved with her children, Norma was a Cub Scout den mother and Girl Scout "Brownie" leader. She was an honorary member of the Bluebonnet Garden Club, after having been an active member for 26 years. She loved gardening, playing cards, especially bridge, traveling, pulling a few slot handles now and then, playing Scrabble, and was an avid television fan of the Houston Astros. She treasured holiday times and entertaining family and friends. Maifest time, too, was special to her, having been a participant herself in the first-ever junior coronation. Her three children participated in the Maifest from age three, and she was always actively involved. She kept a certain sense of pride that her idea to drape the king''s mantel and queen''s train at the back of the royal float, in 1957, has been continued by kings and queens since. She wrote three scripts and assisted in making portraits of many kings, queens, and participants through the years. Norma was preceded in death by her husband William in 1994; her parents, Otto Sr. and Anna Rodenbeck; sisters: Lillie and husband Charlie Tesch; Elsie and husband R. F. Poehlmann; Annie and husband Edwin Korth; her brother, Otto Rodenbeck, Jr. and wife Hester; her parents-in-law, F. C. Sr. and Lena Winkelmann; sisters-in-law Margaret and husband Dr. Ben Rubenstein; Alyne Winkelmann; Dorothy and husband Jack Marchand; brothers-in-law Alfred and wife Mabel Winkelmann, F.C. Jr. and wife Floy Winkelmann, and Dr. Eugene Winkelmann and wife Ann. She is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law: Norman and Alana Winkelmann, Fred and Betty Winkelmann, and her daughter, Ann Lee Russell; granddaughters: Kim and David Sommerfeld; Michelle and Tommy Matthews; Renee and J. J. Jozwiak; Dena and Michael Hill; Jennifer and Ben Buchert; Rebecca Winkelmann. Grandsons: Phillip and Karen Winkelmann, and Will Winkelmann; 17 great-grandchildren: Catherine and Caroline Young; Rhonda Matthews, T. J. and wife Shannon Matthews, and Ashley Nicole Matthews and husband Justin Robinett; Kristopher Eckert, Kaci and Jacob Jozwiak; Marian, Jacob and Abigail Hill; Andrew and Kaitlyn Winkelmann; Chance, Hunter and Sadie Winkelmann and Zyah Walls; 6 great-great grandchildren: Hailee Matthews, Hannah Farrer and Jaice Jones; Trevin and Aiden Matthews, and Alora Faith Robinett and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to acknowledge and give special thanks to her friends, Edwina Derkowski and Cindy Derkowski; to her caregivers Blossie McGregor, Jean Baron, Karen Walker, Barbara Wilson, and Vanessa Harris, and AMA Home Care. In addition, the family acknowledges the care and concern given by Hospice Brazos Valley. The funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m., Friday, May 1, 2015 at Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Salem, Texas, with Pastor Phil Fenton officiating. Burial will be in Prairie Lea Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. Thursday evening, April 30, at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. Pallbearers will be Ralph Poehlmann, Raymond Dickschat, Charlie Mikeska, Robert Weiss, Will Henske, and Ray Rodenbeck. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons and great-grandsons and the fun-loving bridge players: Carrie Marsh, Helen Mikeska, Nina Runge, and Theresa Rodenbeck. Alma Hahn and Mildred Neinast preceded Norma in death, and shall always be remembered with love as two of the longtime players and her close friends. Memorial donations may be given to St. Paul''s Evangelical Lutheran Church Radio and T.V. Ministry, Hospice Brazos Valley, or any favorite charity. Funeral arrangements for Norma Rodenbeck Winkelmann are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main, Brenham. To post a tribute to the family, visit www.memorialoakschapel.com.