Jane Wells Winkley was born in Norwood, Ohio, on June 22, 1936, to John and Ruth (Morgan) Wells. She joined her brothers Ralph, Don and Ivan and sister, Mary.
She passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
As a young girl Jane remembered the house was always quiet as her mother was very ill and eventually passed away when Jane was only 10. Her father later remarried and brother Bill and sister Sue were added to complete the family.
Jane graduated from Colerain High School in Colerain Township, Ohio, in 1954. After attending college for a short time, Jane worked as a secretary for General Electric in the Jet Engine Department for seven years.
Jane met her future husband, Jerry Winkley, at her parents' home where he was helping her brother work on cars. Jane and Jerry were married on Oct. 20, 1962. They were married for 44 years until Jerry's death in 2006. Of that union three children were born, Mary, Elizabeth and John.
While Jerry served in the Navy, Jane built them a home in San Diego. Once discharged, they moved to St. Louis where their children were born. Jane took to her new title of "Mom." She made baby clothes and Halloween costumes, led Girl Scout and Cub Scout groups, volunteered at school and baked cookies.
In 1980,The Winkley family moved to Rollins to live next to Jerry's dad. Jane continued her involvement in Girl Scouts and reinvigorated the Rollins Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. Jane moved to Kalispell in 2000.
Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer in the late 1990s and underwent a mastectomy. She became a supporter of breast cancer issues and mentor to many cancer patients.
Jane and Jerry were strong supporters of the ALERT Air Ambulance Program. After Jerry's death Jane continued her support of the ALERT Program.
Upon hearing from the local breast surgeon that many women in Northwest and Northcentral Montana were waiting as long as six months for mammography services, the dream of a mobile coach to travel to these rural areas to provide digital mammography, breast ultrasound and bone density testing was born. The Winkley Women's Center was named in honor of Jane, whose generosity made the mobile coach possible.
Many other organizations throughout the Flathead Valley benefited from Jane's generosity, including Stillwater Christian School, the Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Jane was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and served as president of the BLCW (women's organization), coordinator of OWLS (senior program), rang in the handbell choir and was a dedicated office volunteer.
Jane was proceeded in death by her parents, John and Ruth Wells; stepmother, Eleanor; brothers, Ralph and Don; husband, Jerry; and stillborn daughter, Elizabeth.
Jane is survived by her daughter, Mary Johnson, of Bozeman; son, John, and Mary Winkley, of Aztec, N.M.; grandson, Jack Knighton, of Bozeman; brothers, Ivan, the Rev. Dr. Wayne and Bill Wells; and sisters, Mary Gandenberger and Sue Shuman. Jane also leaves behind many friends who loved her in the Flathead Valley and her beloved dog, "Grub" and cat, "Wynnie."
A celebration of Jane's life will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 S. Main Street in Kalispell with Pastor Mark Gravrock officiating. Jane's favorite color was pink and we ask, if possible, that you wear something pink to her service to honor her and all breast cancer patients.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choosing. If you choose to give flowers, Jane requested that they be delivered to a local nursing home for the living to enjoy.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jane Winkley, please visit our flower store.
She passed away peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2014, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
As a young girl Jane remembered the house was always quiet as her mother was very ill and eventually passed away when Jane was only 10. Her father later remarried and brother Bill and sister Sue were added to complete the family.
Jane graduated from Colerain High School in Colerain Township, Ohio, in 1954. After attending college for a short time, Jane worked as a secretary for General Electric in the Jet Engine Department for seven years.
Jane met her future husband, Jerry Winkley, at her parents' home where he was helping her brother work on cars. Jane and Jerry were married on Oct. 20, 1962. They were married for 44 years until Jerry's death in 2006. Of that union three children were born, Mary, Elizabeth and John.
While Jerry served in the Navy, Jane built them a home in San Diego. Once discharged, they moved to St. Louis where their children were born. Jane took to her new title of "Mom." She made baby clothes and Halloween costumes, led Girl Scout and Cub Scout groups, volunteered at school and baked cookies.
In 1980,The Winkley family moved to Rollins to live next to Jerry's dad. Jane continued her involvement in Girl Scouts and reinvigorated the Rollins Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary. Jane moved to Kalispell in 2000.
Jane was diagnosed with breast cancer in the late 1990s and underwent a mastectomy. She became a supporter of breast cancer issues and mentor to many cancer patients.
Jane and Jerry were strong supporters of the ALERT Air Ambulance Program. After Jerry's death Jane continued her support of the ALERT Program.
Upon hearing from the local breast surgeon that many women in Northwest and Northcentral Montana were waiting as long as six months for mammography services, the dream of a mobile coach to travel to these rural areas to provide digital mammography, breast ultrasound and bone density testing was born. The Winkley Women's Center was named in honor of Jane, whose generosity made the mobile coach possible.
Many other organizations throughout the Flathead Valley benefited from Jane's generosity, including Stillwater Christian School, the Flathead Food Bank, Flathead Lutheran Bible Camp and the Wounded Warrior Project.
Jane was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and served as president of the BLCW (women's organization), coordinator of OWLS (senior program), rang in the handbell choir and was a dedicated office volunteer.
Jane was proceeded in death by her parents, John and Ruth Wells; stepmother, Eleanor; brothers, Ralph and Don; husband, Jerry; and stillborn daughter, Elizabeth.
Jane is survived by her daughter, Mary Johnson, of Bozeman; son, John, and Mary Winkley, of Aztec, N.M.; grandson, Jack Knighton, of Bozeman; brothers, Ivan, the Rev. Dr. Wayne and Bill Wells; and sisters, Mary Gandenberger and Sue Shuman. Jane also leaves behind many friends who loved her in the Flathead Valley and her beloved dog, "Grub" and cat, "Wynnie."
A celebration of Jane's life will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 603 S. Main Street in Kalispell with Pastor Mark Gravrock officiating. Jane's favorite color was pink and we ask, if possible, that you wear something pink to her service to honor her and all breast cancer patients.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choosing. If you choose to give flowers, Jane requested that they be delivered to a local nursing home for the living to enjoy.