Joel V. Winkelman

   An on demand viewing of Joel's service is available at

www.lordoflife.org/celebrationoflife or by clicking here.   

  Joel Vernon Winkelman age 79 of Maple Grove, MN passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 6, 2024    .   He was born August 2, 1944 to Vernon and Olivia (Beyer) Winkelman on the family farm by Holloway, MN. Joel was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Holloway, MN. He graduated from Holloway High School in the spring of 1962 and joined the Air Force in the fall of 1962. He did his training in Texas and his active duty at Minot Air Force Base in Minot, N.D. Joel was joined in marriage to Donna Reynolds at Immanuel Lutheran Church on June 19, 1965. They enjoyed 58 ½ years of marriage. They have one son, Michael who brought into our family our daughter-in-law, Michelle and gave us two wonderful grandsons, Connor and Carter. 

 Joel was honorably discharged from the Air Force in the fall of 1966. He enjoyed his four years making Airman of the month, Airman of the quarter, and Airman of the year. His rank after four years was Staff Sargent. Joel worked for one year for Carlson Co. in Plymouth, MN and then went to college at St. Cloud State. He got his four-year degree in three years. Joel was an intern at Larson, Allen, & Wieshair, CPA. After graduating he joined that firm. He later became part owner of James & Gruber CPA in Monticello, MN. The position at his death was CFO at Minnesota MedTec. While his health didn’t allow him to go into the office the last years he kept in touch by phone and occasional visits. 

 Joel loved hunting and fishing with family and friends. From white tail deer hunting by Holloway, to mule deer in Montana. Snow and Canadian geese in N.D, to ducks and Canadian geese in the pond across the street from our home. He fished pan fish, Northern and Walleye in many MN lakes and several lakes in Canada. He also did salmon fishing in Alaska and Lake Michigan. While most of the salmon fishing was on charters, he did have his fishing boat set up with down riggers built with the help of family and friends.  He also was lucky enough to get a bear license and got his bear. Now that was one of his favorite stories to tell. Although, he was even more excited when his son Michael received a license and he got his bear as well. Joel had a story about all of his hunting and fishing trips and he loved to share them with anyone that would listen. He was a great storyteller and always went into a lot of detail. With his failing health and not being very mobile, he was extremely happy to go deer hunting with his son this past fall and spending time with his grandsons. Joel enjoyed many years going to Florida with friends and family. He was extremely excited to spend the month of Feb. 2023  with his siblings in Orange Beach, AL.  While he could no longer go deep sea fishing he was able to enjoy a dolphin pontoon cruise as his brother and nephew could get him and his walker on the boat. 

 Preceded in death by mother, Olivia; father, Vernon; mother-in-law & father-in-law Thelma & Donald Reynolds; brother-in-law, Arvid Poverud; niece, Connie Poverud; nephews, Adam Berg & Steve Jewett. 

 Survived by wife, Donna; son, Michael and daughter-in-law, Michelle; grandsons, Connor & Carter; sisters, Arlys Poverud, Wanda (Ron) Ness; brothers, Daryl (Arlys) Winkelman, Larry (Darcy) Winkelman, and sister-in-law, Karen (Richard) Squier. Nieces, Rachelle (Brian) Fredrick-Goddaughter, Kris Berg-Goddaughter, Meadow Jewett, Kari (Joe) Glynn, and Katie (Shawn) Finstrom; nephews, Curt (Anita) Poverud, Victor (Dorothy) Poverud-Godson, Rick (Marcie) Poverud, Chad (Kara) Winkelman, Adam Ness, Jason Squier, Brett (Teri) Winkelman. Missy Sunde – goddaughter; 28 great nieces & great nephews and 22 great-great-nieces and nephews. 

 Celebration of Life at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 7401 Cty. Rd, 101, Maple Grove 11AM, Friday, March 15th.  Visitation one hour prior to service at the Church. Interment at Lord of Life Columbarium.  A livestream of the service will be available at the time service at www.lordoflife.org/celebrationoflife or in the link provided within Joel’s obituary on the funeral chapel website.