Funeral services for Reuben Winkler, age 83, of Elgin will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 18th, 2008 at Hope Congregational Church in Elgin. Rev. Ellis Ryherd will officiate with burial in the Hope Congregational Cemetery in Elgin.


A Family Service will be at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday evening at the Evanson Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin.


Serving as Casketbearers will be Steven Winkler, Jason Winkler, Daryl Winkler, Tanner Kahl, Wayne Iszler and Bruce Winkler.


Special music will be provided by Viola Sprenger, organist and Marcy Haase, soloist.


Reuben was called home on December 13, 2008 after a battle with cancer.


Reuben Winkler was born on June 11, 1925 to Albert Sr. and Eva (Nies) Winkler at the family farm south of Beulah, North Dakota. He married Helen Luithle on June 29, 1952. To this marriage were born three sons, Larry, Gary and Rodney. On January 15, 1993, he married Carol (Achtenberg) Block and together they had one child, Rebecca.


Reuben loved to spend time with family and friends. He enjoyed going fishing, tearing down old buildings and playing card games. He collecting different animal decor. He especially enjoyed seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Carol, Elgin, ND; three sons, Larry (Bea) Winkler, Gary (Connie) Winkler and Rod (Bev) Winkler, all of Elgin, ND; three daughters, Wanda Block, Elgin, ND, Karla Block and special friend Tanner Kahl, Mandan, ND, and Rebecca Winkler, Elgin, ND; nine grandchildren, Steven (Bridget) Winkler, Elgin, ND, Jason Winkler, Bismarck, ND, Daryl (Liz) Winkler, Bismarck, ND, Tieca (Jim) Ibea, Mike (Brenda) Godfrey, Richard Vereecken and Auggie(Ann), all of Washington State, and Dante & Dominic Rios, Elgin, ND; eight great-grandchildren, Mykenzie Winkler, Elgin, ND, Konnor Winkler, Bismarck, ND and six from Washington State; three brothers, Gust (Meryl) Winkler, New York, Henry Winkler and Albert (Florence) Winkler, Beulah, ND; and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends who will miss him dearly.


Reuben was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Herbert, Paul, Edwin and John Winkler; four sisters, Martha, Hilda, Lydia and Emelia; and one grandson, Michael Winkler.


Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Elgin and one hour prior to the services at the church on Thursday.