Brett Van Winkle

Brett Van Winkle, 52, of Beatrice, died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012, at his residence.

He was born Oct. 20, 1959, in Beatrice and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1978. He worked for his father at Van Winkle Construction Company as a brick mason for many years and was also partner with his brother, Jeff, for a short time.

He worked and traveled extensively for Monona Masonry for several years and was a well-respected craftsman. For many years, he bought, sold and restored antique knives and marketed them around the world.

He was baptized as an infant, was confirmed, and attended Centenary United Methodist Church of Beatrice. He married Joyce Lineweber on Sept. 2, 1992, and they later divorced. He was a member of Hawkeye Knife Collectors Association and a former member of the Eagles Club of Beatrice. He enjoyed his nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, collecting art and antiques.

Survivors include his mother, Doris Van Winkle, of Beatrice; one brother, Jeff Van Winkle, of Beatrice; two sisters, Beth Van Winkle and husband, Robert Messing, of Beatrice, and Jann Jensen and husband, Richard, of Washington, Kan.; two nieces, Jeri Chandler and husband, Michael, of Washington, Kan., and Natalie Van Winkle of Beatrice; one nephew, Jared Van Winkle, of Beatrice; great-nieces and great-nephews; great-aunts, Jean West and Hope Borden; aunts, Mary Glenn and husband, Stirling, of Beatrice, Sandra Hohn of Lincoln, Alice Meints and Mitsuko Jurgens, both of Beatrice, and Ruth Hroch and husband, Ernest, of Wymore; several cousins; special friend, Jennifer Henrich of Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his father, Richard L. Van Winkle, who died Dec. 22, 2011; nephew, Jackson Lee Logan; grandparents, Donald and Philecta Borden Van Winkle and Henry and Marie Johnson Jurgens; uncles, Boyd Van Winkle and his wife, Evelyn, Bob Hohn, Fred Meints and Eugene Jurgens.

Memorial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at Centenary United Methodist Church in Beatrice, with the Rev. Charles Spence III officiating. Private inurnment of the cremains will be at the Evergreen Home Cemetery of Beatrice preceding the service. Cremation has taken place and there will be no viewing.

A register book for signatures will be available from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. Thursday at the Fox Funeral Home, and then at the church one hour preceding the service Friday. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the family's choice. A guest book for signatures and messages of condolence is also available online at www.foxfuneralhome.net. Fox Funeral Home of Beatrice is in charge of the arrangements.

Brett Van Winkle

1959-2012