Sister Marcella M. Winkels

Sister Marcella Marie Winkels, age 79, a Sister of the Sorrowful Mother, passed away on Saturday, April 25, 2009 in Mercy Medical Center in Oshkosh. She was born on April 6, 1930, and was one of 15 children of William and Barbara (Schaefer) Winkels. Sister had eight brothers and is survived by six: Roman, William, George, Benjamin, Herman and Kenneth and seven sisters and is survived by four: Marie Ehler, Ardella Kryan, Neta Gadient and Viola Muenzhuber. Sister grew up on the family farm in Adams, Minnesota. She entered the Community of the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother in Milwaukee on October 28, 1950. She had been in nurse's training when she entered, but upon completing her novitiate, she was assigned to teach, much to her disappointment. At investiture on August 12, 1951 she received the name of Sister Mary William of the Heart of Mary, but changed to her baptismal name shortly after the Second Vatican Council in 1965. She made her first vows on August 12, 1953 and her final vows on August 12, 1958. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee in 1978 and Golden Jubilee on 2000. Her teaching career took her to to schools in Milwaukee, Pewaukee, Thiensville and Phillips, Wisconsin. She also taught in Pittsburg, PA, Barbados and Grenada in the Caribbean. She served as both teacher and principal. Sister also served as Postulant Director in Barbados. In 2000 she became Postulant Director in Tulsa, OK. She ministered as Parish Director in Palm Coast, FL and as Director of Pastoral Care at St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, KS. Then Sister returned to Milwaukee, where her skills in office work were needed. Sister Marcella retired to Franciscan Courts in Oshkosh on November 11, 2006. She continued to do secretarial work at the Provincial Offices and taught religion at St. Raphael's Parish. Recently Sister attended the Provincial Assembly held in Oshkosh, April 15-20, 2009. She was delighted in seeing so many of the Sisters with whom she had ministered and had in Formation when she was in the Caribbean. She will be missed for she was a quiet but loving presence, in addition to being a gentle soul and kind person to all. On Satuday, April 18, 2009 Sister suffered a hemorrhage on the right side of her brain. She was rushed to Mercy Medical Center and underwent brain surgery. She was in ICU for a week and a Saturday, April 25th at 11:01 p.m., Sister peacefully passed away surrounded by members of her family and Sister Joan Angela Edwards and Sister Catherine Mary Holker. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m, TODAY, Wedneday, April 29, 2009 in the Chapel of Franciscan Courts, 865 S. Westhaven Drive, Oshkosh, with Rev. Fr. William Kuhr as celebrant. Burial will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Oshkosh. Please remember Sister in your prayers. Fiss & Bills-Poklasny Funeral Home 865 S. Westhaven Drive 920-235-1170