Winifred Hankla, 84, Minot died on Saturday July 6, 2019 in a Houston hospital following a courageous battle with Lung Cancer. Her loving family was at her side.

Winifred was born on July 23, 1934 in Crosby, ND to Dr. Raymond and Helga (Johnson) Bergem. She was raised and educated in Crosby and Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1952. She attended the University of North Dakota where she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree from the UND College of Nursing in 1956.

Winnie married Wally Hankla on August 18, 1957 at First Lutheran Church in Minot. They made their home in Grand Forks and Bismarck prior to returning to Minot. After raising her family Winnie was employed as a nurse by the Commission on Aging. Later Winnie was an independent contractor with Burlington Northern Santa Fe where she coordinated the treatment and rehabilitation of injured workers. She ended her career working as a nurse for Intercorp Rehab and Retraining. Winnie and Wally wintered in Hilton Head Island SC for twenty-five years.

Winnie was a member of the First Lutheran Church where she was active in the Altar Guild. In her early years Winnie enjoyed playing fast pitch softball, and later enjoyed reading, golfing, traveling, and attending nursing school reunions. However, her number one passion was her family and supporting them in all of their activities.

Winnie's loving family includes her husband of 62 years: Wally; children: Barbara Hankla of Maple Grove MN, Brian Hankla, and Peter (JaMie) Hankla all of Minot; grandchildren:  Lauren, Aundrea, John and Sofia; great granddaughter: Aurora; sister-in-law: Valerie, niece: Jean Haga, nephews: Bruce (Kim) Haga, Jason (Melissa) Bergem, Mark Bergem, and several cousins.

Winnie was preceded in death by her parents, and siblings: Lois (Don) Haga and Paul Bergem.

Celebration of the Life of Winnie Hankla: July 29, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. in First Lutheran Church - Minot.
Memorial Booksigning: July 28, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the First Lutheran Church Foundation or the M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Center www.gifts.mdanderson.org

Winifred Hankla Flowers