John Winkelman
April 01, 1951 - May 11, 2026
Obituary
John Lester Winkelman, “Wink”, age 75, of Verona, WI, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2026, at Azura Memory Care after a long-term battle with Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Dementia. John always saw the best in people, was quick-witted and a hardworking, dedicated provider. He cherished his loved ones and was a patient guide who taught us how to navigate life with integrity.
John was born on April 1, 1951, to Lester and Gladys (Weisensel) Winkelman in Madison, WI. He grew up on a dairy farm in rural Verona. John graduated from Verona High School in 1969 and went on to attend Madison Area Technical College’s Machine Tool and Die program, earning his diploma in 1971. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Trouti Weiss. Together, they settled into their lifelong home in the Town of Springdale, where they raised two daughters.
John spent his early career working in State of Wisconsin buildings in Madison, running building systems and putting his degree to use. However, his lifelong passion for cars and motorcycles eventually led him to turn his hobby into a career. In 1980, he began working as a salesman at Suburban Wheels in Verona. He later worked for John Erickson Chevrolet before retiring from Symdon Chevrolet in Mount Horeb in 2013. For 33 years, he was known as “Wink” to the customers and friends alike, helping countless families and businesses throughout the Verona area find the right vehicle.
In John’s younger years, he spent time riding dirt bikes, reviving used cars and motorcycles, and racing RC cars with his brothers. Always looking for a fun vehicle - “the new toy” - John enjoyed the thrill of the search as much as the find.
Euchre was his favorite card game, often played with both his family and ‘the card club’, a group of longtime friends. Throughout his life, Sundays were spent at car shows, watching NASCAR races, or finding beautiful scenic routes to cruise.
After retirement, John and Trouti enjoyed traveling together and exploring new places. Their travels took them to Florida’s Gulf Coast, the mountains of Colorado, the West Coast from Seattle to San Francisco, the islands of Hawaii, Washington, D.C., New York City, Germany’s Rhine River, and Alaska. They also enjoyed ATV rides on Wisconsin trails and camping in their motorhome together.
Above all, John was always looking out for the safety and well-being of those he loved. He regularly checked in on family members when they were away from home and never wanted anyone doing anything too dangerous. He was known for offering cautious reminders like, “Don’t slam your finger in the car door,” or “Don’t bump your head,” always trying to prevent injuries before they happened.
John is survived by his wife of 55 years, Edeltraut “Trouti” Winkelman; daughters Shay (Andrew) Sartorius of Prairie du Sac and Sara (Matthew) Quigle of Madison; grandchildren Colton and Otto Quigle and Regan Sartorius; brothers James (Sally) Winkelman of Verona; Robert (Julie) Winkelman of New Glarus; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends who will miss him dearly.
John was preceded in death by his parents, Lester and Gladys Winkelman; his brother, David Winkelman; his in-laws, Henry and Olga Weiss; his brother-in-law, Karl Weiss; and his nephew, James “Jimmy” Winkelman Jr.
The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to Agrace HospiceCare - especially Stephanie and Ashley - for their expertise and compassion; the staff and caregivers at Azura Memory Care’s Davidson House - especially Janessa for her kind heart and sense of humor she showed John; and UW Health physicians Dr. James Bigham and Dr. Robert Przybelski for their early diagnosis and thoughtful treatments, which gave our family over a decade of cherished memories with John.
A visitation will be held from 10:00AM until 11:00AM on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at Ryan Funeral Service - Legacy Center, 6728 Mader Drive, Madison. A service will be held at 11:00AM with a Celebration of Life to follow on Wednesday at the funeral home. A private family burial will be held at Verona Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Research Fund at the University of Iowa, please visit: Lewy Body Research at Iowa.
To view his obituary and leave a memory, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com
Ryan Funeral Service & Legacy Center
6728 Mader Drive
608-274-1000