Ronald Edward Winkler Sr., age 82, of Iola, passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Thedacare Regional Medical Center, Appleton WI.

Ron was born on April 18, 1939 in Plymouth, Wisconsin to the late William and Olga (Grams) Winkler. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church, Plymouth, WI and graduated from Plymouth High School on May 28, 1957. As a young man, Ron enjoyed ice skating, swimming, ski jumping, stock car racing, hunting and of course his life-long favorite, fishing. He served in the US Navy aboard the USS Bordelon and had many adventures overseas during his time in the military. On May 16, 1975, Ron began his greatest adventure when he married the love of his life Judy Miller. Together they built a family and made a lifetime of memories. Those that knew Ron knew that he was a jokester and loved a good prank. His children and their friends got plenty a scare from him during movie nights. His love of fishing took him out on the lakes with his children and grandchildren and some of their best memories include fishing with Grandpa. Ron – known on the CB as 40 Winks – was a semi driver for most of his life and made countless friends during that time. He was especially fond of his time at Kraze Trucking in Amherst where he finally retired just two years ago at the age of 80.

Ronald is survived by his wife, Judy; daughters: Michele (Robert) Walton, Corrine (Shaun) Brachmann, Wendy (Keith) Schwalbe, Melissa (Bradley) Beyer, Sherri (James) Lashua, Ryan (Ryan) Glover and son, Ronald Jr (Meghan). He is further survived by his grandchildren: Amanda, Niki, Peter, Kayla, Katie, Karley, Zachary, Courtney, Jacob, Ethan, Erick, Jack, Nicholas, Henry, Ronald III, Keegan and Ryker as well as his great-grandchildren, Devon and Alivia. Ron is also survived by many (favorite) nieces and nephews. Ron was especially proud of his grandchildren and was looking forward to his newest great-granddaughter’s arrival in April. In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by son Chris; brothers, Rev. Wilber and Roger Winkler; sister Hildegard Krueger as well as great-granddaughter Reagan.

Dad fought so hard to stay with us here, but God had other plans.

A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 26, 2022 11:00 a.m. at Scandinavia Lutheran Church with Reverend David Eisele officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, February 25th from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Voie Funeral Home in Iola and on Saturday at the church from 9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Interment with military honors will take place in the Park Cemetery – Ogdensburg in Town of St. Lawrence following the service.