Ferne Elizabeth Winkel

FERNE ELIZABETH WINKEL, age 92, of Harbor Beach, was called to her heavenly home on Sunday, August 28, 2011, from Lakeview Extended Care and Rehab Center of Harbor Beach Community Hospital. She was born on September 30, 1918, to Orval and Lena (Morse) Bills. She graduated from Onaway High School and County Normal and taught grades K-8 at Ward School on Section Line Road, Harbor Beach. Ferne lived with a local family while teaching and often commented that she had to walk almost a mile from their farm to Ward School each day and even had to start her own fire at the school on cold winter mornings. Ferne and Herbert Winkel were united in marriage on January 19, 1941, at Onaway Episcopal Church and were married for 64 years. Herbert preceded her in death on July 2, 2005. Ferne and Herb had a 160-acre dairy and crop farm on Learman Road where they lived until 1985 when they retired to their home in Harbor Beach. Ferne was a member of Zion Lutheran Church and a long-time member of the Ladies Aide. She was active in Michigan Farm Bureau, Extension Club, 4-H, and Harbor Beach and Port Hope Retirees. Ferne was an avid reader of all types of books and loved to play cards with her friends and family. She especially enjoyed the time she spent with her family. She is survived by her two children: Julie and her husband, Jerry Elsenheimer, of Troy, Michigan; and Randall and his wife, Terry, of Shelby Township, Michigan. Other survivors include one sister, Roxie Beckman of Marquette, Michigan, a brother, John Bills of Waterford, Michigan, and a brother-in-law, Dean Ford of Iron River, Michigan, and many nieces and nephews. Ferne was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Clayton Bills; and four sisters, Stella Kline, Dorothy Tlougan, Marguerite Taylor, and Ila Ford. Funeral Services for Ferne will be conducted at 11a.m. on Friday, September 2, at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church with the Rev. David McCloskey, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow at Rock Falls Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Harbor Beach and at the church on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of services. A scripture service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Lakeview Extended Care, or the Harbor Beach Library.

Ferne Elizabeth Winkel

September 30, 1918 - August 28, 2011