The Funeral Service for Carol Winkler, age 60 of Mandan, formerly of Elgin will be held at 10:00am MT Saturday, May 25, 2019 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig.  Pastor John Amundson will officiate with burial in the Hope Congregational Cemetery at Elgin.

A family service will be held at 7:00pm Friday evening at Immanuel Lutheran Church in New Leipzig.

Serving as casketbearers are Jesse Achtenberg, Ryne Meier, Chad Hegel, Dennis Wetzel, Jason Winkler, and Daryl Winkler.  All grand and great grandchildren are considered honorary bearers.

CAROL CAROLINE ACHTENBERG was born on July 20, 1958 to Christ and Erma (Kufeldt) Achtenberg in Elgin, North Dakota.  Carol graduated from New Leipzig High School in 1976.  She later moved to SD.  Following a divorce in 1983, Carol and her daughters, Wanda and Karla Block, moved back to Elgin, ND.  She met Reuben Winkler and together they had a daughter, Rebecca Winkler.  Reuben and Carol married Jan. 15, 1993.  Reuben passed away Dec. 13, 2008.  She moved to Mandan in August 2016 with special friend, Doug Hegel.  Carol was called to her eternal home after a short, courageous battle with cancer.

Carol was a very hard worker.  Over the years, some of her jobs included cooking at the Café in Elgin, bartending for events, and assisting the funeral home in Elgin.  Her passion for helping others led her to her longest career working as a CNA at Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center.  She also worked as a Physical Therapy aide and in the Activities Department at JMHCC. Prior to moving to Mandan, she was the Activity Director at Dakota Hills.  Once in Mandan, she worked at Sanford off Collins as a cook.  Sanford off Collins moved to Miller Pointe, which is where she continued to work as a cook until she became ill.  She was a Member of Elgin Dakota Lions.

Carol enjoyed many things in life.  She always had an open door to friends and family.  Many of her daughter's friends were more family to her than friends.  She enjoyed helping at Bible School when her kids were younger.  She enjoyed every chance she got to spend time with her grandchildren and her Mom.  Carol spent a lot of time crafting.  Cross-stitching, crocheting, coloring, puzzles, playing cards and playing games were all things she liked to do.  She will always be remembered for her talent of cooking and baking.  Fleischkuechle and pies were always a favorite by many.  She spent a lot of time gardening, canning and butchering.  Her best days were spent when her and Doug went camping.  She didn't care where she was as long as she was camping.  There was nothing better than the company of good friends and family.  She always enjoyed when she could bring her children, grandchildren and her Mom to their campsite.

Carol was the most caring, kind and compassionate person.  She made friends everywhere she went.  Always a smile on her face no matter what she may have been going through.  She was the strongest person we knew.  She loved her family with her whole heart.

Carol passed away on Monday, May 20, 2019 at Sanford Health in Bismarck.

Grateful for sharing her life are her 3 daughters, Wanda Block, Elgin, ND; Karla (Tanner) Kahl, Mandan, ND; Becky (Elgin) Calley, Mandan, ND; her mother, Erma Achtenberg, New Leipzig, ND; special friend, Doug Hegel, Mandan, ND; grandchildren, Dante Rios, Dominic Rios, D'Lainee Block, Olivia Kahl, Avery Kahl, great grandchildren, Bailey Rios; stepsons, Larry (Bea) Winkler, Elgin, ND; Rodney Winkler, New Leipzig, ND; Gary (Connie) Winkler, Elgin, ND; step-daughter-in-law, Bev Winkler, Elgin, ND; step grandchildren, Jason Winkler, Daryl Winkler, Steve (Bridget) Winkler, step great grandchildren, Konnor, Kristopher, Anastasia, Mykayla, and MyKenzie; brother, Alroy (Joyce) Achtenberg, Fort Rice, ND; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father; her husband, Reuben Winkler; sister, Brenda Achtenberg; grandson, Reuben Dane Calley; step grandson Michael Winkler.

Carol put a smile on everyone's face.  Carol was greatly loved and will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be on Friday from 1:00 to 5:30pm MT at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.

A memorial has been established.