Debra Clara (Winkelman) Koscielniak, 57, of Clear Lake, passed away Thurs., Nov. 3 at her home surrounded by family. 

 

Debra was born on January 18, 1959 in St. Cloud, to Ralph and Teresa (Benoit) Winkelman: the seventh of eleven children. She attended Santiago County School through first grade before her family moved to the Milaca area to continue farming. After school, she baked cakes and peeled enough potatoes for the entire family – a feat with eight brothers and two sisters. Deb graduated from Princeton High School with Honors, and was proud to be “Homecoming Queen” for the class of 1977. April 1979 she met Terry, and they were married on October 11, 1980 at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Princeton. Deb worked at Crystal Cabinets and Liberty Paper Inc.; she was a very dedicated and hard-working employee. She enjoyed time at the lake and taking trips with the entire family to Mexico, until recently when the cancer prevented such activities. Most importantly, Deb loved spending time with family, especially the grandchildren whom she adored.

 

She is survived by her husband, Terrance; children, Sara (Timothy) Ahrenholz and Jared (Shae) Koscielniak; grandchildren, Lillian and Kenneth Ahrenholz and Beckett and Elaina Koscielniak; mother, Teresa Winkelman; siblings, Michael Winkelman, Roger (Lynne) Winkelman, Ronald (Cynthia) Winkelman, Jeanette Gerth, Susan (Jerome) Gunderson, Phillip (Patricia) Winkelman, Curtis (Jaqui) Winkelman, Mark (Brenda) Winkelman and Robert (Linda) Winkelman; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

 

She was preceded in death by her father Ralph Winkelman, brother Jeffrey Winkelman, and parents-in-law Pete and Elinor Koscielniak. 

 

Visitation for Deb was Sun., Nov. 6 at Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home, Princeton. Mass of Christian Burial was Monday, Nov. 7 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Duelm. Visitation was prior to the service at the church on Monday. Father Virgil Helmin officiated and burial was in the parish cemetery. 

Arrangements are entrusted to Williams Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Princeton.