Genevieve Antoinette (Bogush) Winkler Obituary (1922 - 2019)

Genevieve A. Winkler, 97 of John Day, Oregon passed away Thursday, October 17, 2019, at Valley View Assisted Living in John Day. She was born March 3, 1922, in Castle Shannon, Pennsylvania. Her parents, native to Lithuania, met and married in the United States. They had three children, Gen being the middle child. Her father worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad and as a coal miner. The family lived in Pittsburgh until her mother died from heart complications when Gen was nine years old. After her mother's death, Gen's family relocated to "The Patch", company housing for workers of the coal mines. Her father retained ownership of their home in Pittsburgh, which they leased out to ease financial burdens during the depression. The family returned to their home in Pittsburgh when her father remarried. After high school, Genevieve worked in retail and for the telephone company as a telephone operator. Genevieve married Lawrence (Larry) Winkler in 1943, beginning the "Winkler Family Journey". Together they had three children; Lawrence John, Jean Carol, and Gail Lynn. After Larry retired from a 30-year career in the U.S. Air Force, they settled in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1970. Gen continued to work as a civil service telephone operator, and Larry became the maintenance manager for El Paso County. In 1989, just a few years after they both retired, Larry passed away. Genevieve continued to live in Colorado Springs until 2005 when she moved to Mancos, Colorado, to reside with her daughter Gail, husband Steve, and their three children. In 2012, Gen moved to Dallas, Texas, where she spent time with her daughter Jean and her family. Valley View Assisted Living became her home in 2014. Genevieve enjoyed sewing, crocheting, baking, and gardening. Genevieve is survived by her daughters Jean (Jim) Levison and Gail (Steve) Beverlin; grandchildren Carly, Rachel, and Isaac Beverlin and Andrew and Brian Iden; son in law Robert (Myriam) Iden and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lawrence Winkler; son Lawrence John, sister Helen Bauer; brother John Bogush; and grandson Caleb Jordan Beverlin. A memorial gathering will be held at Valley View Assisted Living at 12:30, Sunday, October 27, 2019. Burial, at a later date, will occur in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The family would like to thank the personnel at Valley View Assisted Living and the providers from the Blue Mountain Hospice for all the love and care Genevieve received. If desired, memorial contributions can be made to the Blue Mountain Hospice, 422 W Main St., John Day, OR 97845.