Lila Louise Winkel

George, IA Lila Winkel, age 94 of George, IA died Sat. December. 6, 2008, at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10th at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA with Rev. Bryan Anderson and Rev. Oryn Meinerts, officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Lawn Cemetery at George. Visitation will be Tuesday, Dec. 9th from 2:00 " 8:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 " 8:00 p.m. at the Tabernacle Baptist Church of George. Lila Louise Mueller was born on October 25, 1914, to Carl H. and Louisa (Lizzi) M. (Plagmann) Mueller, as the fifth child of nine, on their farm, in rural Plankinton, SD. She attended grade school through eighth grade and then continued to work on the family farm, with her eight siblings, during the depression. At age seventeen, Lila traveled with her sister Laura and brother-in-law John, to the Lyon County, IA, area to hear evangelist Phil Ward. While there, Lila surrendered her life to Christ. Lila also found employment with the Henry and Edith Jurrens family on their farm north of George, IA. One day, while helping one of her friends (Annetta Winkel) with chores, Annetta suggested Lila go on a blind date with a man named, William Winkel. Lila did and was swept off her feet immediately. On December, 8, 1936, they were married at the Home of Rev. Harm Johnsons near George IA, and off to Texas they went on their honeymoon. Upon their return, Lila and Bill settled on a farm north of George, which they would call home for over forty-two years. During this time, they raised livestock, grain, four children; Ron, Duane, Lois, and Marv; numerous nieces and nephews and anybody elses kids that wanted to stay in the country. In December, 1978, they retired and moved to Lilas present home, across from the Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, where they continued to host any and everyone that came to visit the area. Lila and Bill were totally dedicated to the church were they served as church treasures for over 27 years and Lila taught Sunday School for 35 years. Missionaries from all over the world were guests at Lilas home and table, any time they came to the area. On June 10, 1988, Bill died suddenly, at home, with Lila by his side. Lila continued to reside in her home where she crocheted afghans, studied her Bible and prayed, and entertained anyone wanting to visit or eat a meal. Lila died suddenly, at the age of 94, on Saturday, December 6, 2008 at the Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. Survivors include three sons, Ronald (Elaine) Winkel, Sioux Falls, SD, Duane (Alvah) Winkel, and Marvin (Sharon) Winkel, both of George, IA; one daughter, Lois Lafrenz of Luverne, MN; five grandchildren, Todd Winkel, Chad (Tarah) Winkel, Karen (Brad) Meyer, Ronda Winkel and Jodi Winkel; seven great-grandchildren, Dalana Jo and Payton Winkel, Brandon and Braden Meyer, Destrie, Dax, and Morgan Johnson; one sister, Elaine Synhorst of George, IA; and two sisters-in-law, Betty Mueller, Costa Mesa, CA, and Gwen Mueller, Hamilton, MT; and numerous nieces and nephews. Lila was preceded in death by her husband Bill, her parents, one granddaughter, Karla Winkel; three brothers, Arthur Mueller, Clarence Mueller, and Wayne Mueller; four sisters, Lydia Ontjes, Gertrude Ontjes, Laura Fluth, and Goldien Cain. A memorial has been established to Lilas favorite missions projects.