Our beloved “Pepsi Queen,” Barbara Jane Winkelman (Wright), 98, died Sunday, April 26 2,026, at Accura Healthcare in Lake City, IA.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at First Baptist Church in Churdan with Rev. David Arulnathan and Rev. Angelo Luis officiating. Pianist for the service was Lori Anderson. Casket bearers were Joe Larson, Greg May, Jerry Schneider, Kim Tasler, Dennis Tilley, and Randy Winkelman. Honorary casket bearers were Richard Boudrie, Ryan Boudrie, Dave Carlson, Bill Gebhart, Danny Hanneman, Pat Hardy, Gary Howard, and Bob Rossmanith. Burial was in the Highland Cemeteryin Churdan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Churdan Public Library, Churdan Fire Department, Lohrville Public Library, or the Lohrville Fire Department.
Barbara was born June 18, 1927, in Jefferson, IA, to Leo Roscoe and Clella Viola Wright. During high school, Barbara worked at Springer’s grocery store.
Barbara married a farmer, Dale Winkelman on March 17th, 1947, at The Christian Church in Jefferson. As a preview of becoming a farmer’s wife, Dale couldn’t get ‘hitched’ until after 7 pm and his chores were done. Being part of a close-knit farming community in Adaza, she was involved in planning neighborhood events and was a devoted mother and wife, including passing her love of embroidery down to her daughters. After her daughters graduated high school, she worked at Franklin Manufacturing for over 20 years.
A longtime member of The United Methodist Church in Churdan, she was an avid churchgoer and wrote skits for the congregation as well as The Adaza Thursday Club. A lifelong fan of Iowa sports, she also enjoyed band concerts, bingo, and her card party group. She was known in several counties for her delicious potato salad, brownies, and sour cream raisin pie.
Those left to honor her memory are her two daughters, Nancy (Dick) Boudrie of Los Alamos, NM; Diana May (Gary Howard) of Newton, IA. Her grandchildren Michelle Boudrie of Carlsbad, NM, Ryan Boudrie of Boling, TX, Gregory May (Celina) of New York, NY, and Heather May of Los Angeles, CA, and great-grandchildren Shelby and Brody Boudrie of Boling, TX, and Olympia May of New York, NY.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Clella Wright, brother Gerald Wright, husband Dale Winkelman, and son-in-law Robert May.