Doris Lorraine Winkler Marquart of York, Nebraska, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 5, 2025. She was born on December 21, 1932, in Miller, Nebraska, to Mark and Irma Clevenger. Doris grew up in Gibbon, Nebraska, where she attended school and graduated in 1951. Later that same year, she married Charlie Winkler, and together they moved to Ravenna, Nebraska, to run the Winkler family farm. Their first two children, Beckie and Charles, were born in 1952 and 1953.
In 1956, the family moved to Grand Island, Nebraska. Doris and Charlie welcomed their third daughter, Kathy, in 1958, and their youngest daughter, Barb, in 1961. Doris devoted her early years to being a stay-at-home mother, a role she cherished, until beginning work outside the home. She worked at the Ordnance Plant and later at Northwestern Bell but found her greatest fulfillment in her role as manager of the Saint Francis Daycare Center. From 1987 until her retirement in 2000, Doris poured her heart into the center, earning the prestigious Caring Kind Award in 1992. She served on the Foster Grandparent Advisory Board, the Central Community College Child Care Program Committee and was an active member of the Nebraska Association for the Education of Young Children.
Doris found immense joy in surrounding herself with children, whose lives she touched with patience, love, and unwavering care. In 2008, she moved to York, Nebraska, where she continued her lifelong calling by working as a Foster Grandparent and with the After School Program at York Public Schools. While in York, she became a devoted member of Arbor Drive Community Church.
Anyone who knew Doris knew that her life was dedicated to the nurturing and care of children, but above all, her deepest devotion was to Jesus Christ, the Lord of her life.
Doris is survived by her children: Beckie Stull-Senkbile of Grand Island; Chuck Winkler and wife Doris of Grand Island; Kathy Smith of Lincoln; Barb Winkler of Lincoln; and Tiffany Wescott and husband Jeff of Omaha; her brother, Bert Clevenger and wife LaDonna of Omaha; sister-in-law Donna Clevenger of Scotia; and stepdaughters Ingrid Einspahr and Rachel Nelson.
She leaves behind numerous grandchildren: Cresta Peterson (Jason), Valerie Winkler-Rouse (Travis), Jaime Johnson, Kristina Von Busch (Adam), Shaylee Ybarra (Jeremy), Luke Smith (Quiana), all of Lincoln; James Stull (Cindy) of Omaha; LaDena Richey (Matt) of Loveland CO, Nikki Antillon (Zach) of Grand Island; along with 30 great-grandchildren and 8 great-great-grandchildren. She is proceeded in death by Charles Winkler (husband), brothers Bob and Mark Clevenger, sisters Pearl Johnson and Joanne Meyers, and great-granddaughter Dijah Ybarra.
Doris’ legacy is one of faith, compassion, and a life spent pouring love into others—especially children. Her impact will continue to be felt for generations to come.
Graveside service will be held at Grand Island Cemetery, 3168 W Stolley Park Rd, Grand Island NE 68801 (North side) on December 13, 2025, at 11:00am. No funeral luncheon to follow. The family asks that all memorials be made out to the Friendship Home, Attn: Donations, PO Box 85358, Lincoln NE 68501-5358.