Ellen G. Winkes, 90

Ellen Gwendolyn (McPherson) Winkes, 90, of Grangeville, passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2008, at Life Care Center in Lewiston.

Ellen was born March 29, 1918, in Lambert, Montana, a daughter of Wallace and Neva McChesney McPherson. She was the first of five children. She met Lester Winkes while working as a ship welder during WWII. They were married in 1946. They had six children. They moved to Grangeville, Idaho where they opened Winkes Brothers Hardware and later Magic Floors. She also owned Ellen’s Craft Store. After retirement, they lived in Arizona and traveled throughout the southwest. After Lester’s death in 1978, she and her daughter, Cathy, moved back to Grangeville.

She was a member of Camp Fire Girls, Toastmistress, Soroptimist, and a local bridge club. She was also a member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville.

She is survived by her children, Patricia (Ken) Schmidt, John (Sharon) Winkes, Maureen Winkes, Regina (Patrick) Dunroven, and Teresa (Paul) Scott; a sister, Reta Onstott of Sheridan, Wyoming; 13 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, her daughter Cathy, two grandchildren, and a great grandchild died earlier.

A rosary will be held Saturday, November 8, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 11:30 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Grangeville. Father Brad Neely will be the celebrant. Burial will follow at Prairie View Cemetery in Grangeville. A visitation will be held Friday, November 7, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville.

Family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Saints Peter and Paul School.

Blackmer Funeral Home in Grangeville is in charge of arrangements.