Lorraine A. Winchel, 96, passed away peacefully Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, at the Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta, Wis.
Lorraine was born in Chicago, Ill., in 1928, to Louise and Anna (Riegler) Eckmayr. They moved to Westboro, Wis., where she graduated from Westboro High School. She and Jerry Winchel were married in 1946 and settled in Norwalk, Wis., in 1957. She lived there until 2016, when she moved to the Parkview Apartments in Sparta.
Lorraine is survived by her children, Julie Miller of Sparta, Marie and Norman Hemmersbach of Cashton, Wis., and Madonna and Butch Johnson of Norwalk, Wis.; nine grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives.
Lorraine was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry; her parents, Louise and Anna; an infant daughter, Eileen; her brother, Roland Eckmayr; her stepfather, Michael Vagle; and a son-in-law, Ronald Miller; along with brothers and sisters-in-law.
A memorial service will be at 12 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Torkelson Funeral Home, 1132 Angelo Road, Sparta, Wis. Father Eric Berns will officiate. Family and friends are invited to visitation Saturday, March 8, beginning with rosary at 10 a.m., and visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until noon. After the service at noon, there will be a lunch served at the funeral home before going to the St. Augustine Catholic Cemetery in Norwalk for burial and the committal service.
The Torkelson Funeral Home of Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
