Martina F. (Marty) Winckler, 85, left this world surrounded by her loving family on Aug. 30, 2008. For the last three weeks of her life with us, Marty received loving care at the Clairemont Nursing and Rehab Center in Eau Claire, as well as the excellent care of St. Joseph’s Hospice of Chippewa Falls.

Marty was born to valentine and Magdalena (Schumacher) Gau on March 13, 1923, in Fond du Lac.

She graduated from St. Mary’s Springs Academy in Fond du Lac in 1941 and continued her education at St. Mary’s School of Nursing in Wausau, graduating in 1944.

As a registered nurse, she worked a year in Milwaukee and then came to work for St. Joseph’s Community Hospital in West Bend. In West Bend, Marty met George (Shorty) Winckler from Barton and they married on June 1, 1946.

She continued to work throughout their marriage and the raising of their family.

After Shorty’s sudden death in January of 1970, she dedicated herself to her family and her career.

Marty was an avid football fan and loved most to watch her boys plan, traveling across the Midwest to catch as many games as possible. Bob played for the Wisconsin Badgers and John played for St. Norbert’s College (Green Knights) in De Pere.

Her enthusiasm for these two teams continued long after her boys were done playing.

In 1985, Marty retired from nursing after 42 years at St. Joseph’s Community Hospital. She continued her travels well into her retirement.

In 1999, she began to winter in Greenville, S.C. with her daughter Carol and son-in-law Bill.

Due to declining health, she moved permanently with Carol and Bill in 2001. In 2005, they moved to Nashville, Tenn., returning home to Wisconsin in June of this year.

Marty was fun-loving and enjoyed a good joke, playing cards (especially Sheepshead and Gin) and football.

Marty will be dearly missed by her family and all the friends who knew and loved her.

Marty was preceded in death by her husband, George (Shorty) Winckler; her parents; and a sister, Delores Weber.

She is survived by daughters, Kathleen (James) Fritz of Eau Claire, Carol (Bill Osborne) of Elk Mound; and sons, Robert (Sue) Winckler of DeForest and John (Kate) Winckler of Oconomowoc. Her loving grandchildren include Lisa (James) Wilkinson, Washburn; Julie Fritzs, Eau Claire, and Sara (Jason Dekan) Fritz, Eau Claire. Kelly, Matt and Leah Winckler of DeForest; Haley and Anna Winckler of Oconomowoc; and two special grand-dogs, Pepe and Casey.

Also surviving are one sister, Rosemary (Gordon) Nickel of Fond du Lac; and brothers, David Gau SJ, Wyoming, Paul (Charlene) Gau, Fond du Lac, and James (Maxine) Gau, Oregon; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Marty’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in West Bend.

Visitation will be held one hour before, with family fellowship following the service.

Private interment will be held later.

Stokes, Prock and Mundt Funeral Chapel, 535 S. Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona (WI 54720), is serving the family; 715-832-3428.