Phyllis Rae Winckler

Phyllis Rae Winckler, of Wilson, Kansas passed away on November 7, 2025, at Good Samaritan Society in Ellsworth, Kansas. She was born on August 27, 1937, to James and Ruth (Borman) Peterka in Rural Lincoln County, Kansas. She was married to Paul G. Winckler on September 1, 1957 at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Sylvan Grove, KS. He preceded her in death on July 10, 2020.

Phyllis grew up in rural Lincoln County, Kansas, in the Wilson Flats area. She graduated from Sylvan High School in 1955 and later attended Fort Hays University.

Phyllis spent her years as a dedicated wife and mother. She worked on their dairy farm milking cows and especially enjoyed testing milk for DHIA with her husband, Paul. She worked side by side with her family on the farm, where she took pride in her work farming and ranching. She also enjoyed her time working at Kansas Originals until her retirement. She was an active member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lucas and gave many years of service to her community as the former Chairman of the Lincoln County Democrats and as a member of the election board.

Phyllis had a deep love of learning and was always engaged with current political issues. She cherished time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought her great joy. In her quiet moments, she enjoyed reading, working on puzzles, and caring for her beloved cat, Putty.

Phyllis’s kindness, dedication, and warm spirit will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Phyllis is survived by sons, David Paul Winckler, Wilson Kansas, Mark James (Liz) Winckler, Lincoln, Kansas; daughter, Diane Ruth (Nathan) Houseman of Savannah, GA; sister, Shirley (Ravon) Thaemert, Arvada, Colorado; three grandchildren, Michael James (Shannon) Winckler of Manhattan, Kansas, Kyle Sebastian Houseman of Chicago, IL, and Jessica Nicole (Alex) Winters of Ellsworth, KS; great-grandchildren, Miles Albert Winckler of Manhattan, Adelynn Rae and Matthew James Winters, of Ellsworth, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Paul Winckler and grandson, Michael Winckler.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Lucas, KS. Burial will follow in Pleasant Valley Cemetery in Rural Wilson, KS. Visitation will be held on Monday from 4:00 PM until 6:00PM at the funeral home in Wilson.

Memorials are suggested to Pleasant Valley Cemetery or Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO Box 533, Wilson, KS 67490.