Connie Ann Winkle

Connie Ann Pfost Winkle Johnson of Buhl, Idaho, joined her family members and her many friends’ spirits in the sky for a celebration party of her life on December 24, 2023.

Connie was born in Boise, Idaho on December 13, 1933, to Norma Hastings and Cecil A Pfost. They moved to Twin Falls when Connie was 4 years old. She attended school in Twin Falls and graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1952.

She met the love of her life John Winkle at Sawyers BBQ where she worked her first job as a carhop in 1949. That led to their marriage on July 13, 1952. They lived on the family farm north of Filer, where John was born and farmed most of his life. It was a real eye-opener for Connie to move and live on a farm after having lived in town up to that point. She had never cooked so between John and her mother Norma, she learned how to cook with a lot of mistakes and tears.

Connie loved her home, yard, and working beside John on the farm. She took a lot of ribbing about keeping her house clean. Her grandchildren and nieces from Utah were always teasing her. Connie, lovingly referred to as Nana, had a routine of raking the shag carpet to insure it was all standing up evenly. The family enjoyed leaving tracks on the shag carpet. Nana knew they had been around and never failed to share her annoyed reaction. We might have gone out of our way just for our own entertainment.

Connie was an active member in the Filer Methodist Church for many years. After moving to Buhl, she attended the First Christian Church with Larry.

Connie loved riding her favorite horse, Hazel, alongside her close friend Beverly Diehl and Beverly’s horse, Patches.  She was a proud member of the Filer Wranglerettes. They performed in many local rodeos and parades. John and Connie loved to spend winters with friends snowmobiling at the South Hills and especially trips to Yellowstone. In the summer, they spent time camping out at Warm Springs and enjoying occasional weekends with Pete and Janice Stover at their cabin. They attended the annual Elks summer camp-out at the Pine/Featherville area. Connie and their children spent summer vacations in McCall with Cecil & Norma at their cabin while John stayed home farming. Some of our memories were taking a relaxing boat ride around Lake Payette and leaving cantaloupe rinds on tree stumps and watching the bear cubs come out of the woods to enjoy a snack.  

John & Connie would occasionally hang out with friends at the boat club watching them waterski and enjoying a potluck lunch.  Neither John nor Connie knew how to swim or ski. Then one afternoon Connie put on her big girl panties and learned how to waterski.

Connie loved her family dearly, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were her pride and joy. She always asked how they were doing and always cherished seeing them.

Connie spent a number of winters in Yuma Arizona and especially enjoyed the winters she spent living with her brother, Emmitt. It was such a joyful time for her to hang out and get to know her brother so well. They went many places together, including trips to Mexico and Hawaii.

Connie enjoyed traveling with John and close friends. They toured the United States in a motorhome. One trip she accompanied Harold Peterson to the Calgary Stampede with the goal of picking up a wallaby to join his petting zoo in Filer. Connie had an unexpected trip opportunity to join Barbara Reed on a memorable Alaska cruise. They had the time of their lives cruising while observing the glaciers.

After John’s passing, she met her next love and friend Larry Johnson at Moon Glo Retirement Park. Connie and Larry were married June 7, 2008. They did a lot traveling, spending winters in Yuma and Sun City, Arizona. They also enjoyed visiting family in California and going to Larry’s family cabin in Bandon Oregon in the fall.

Connie is survived by her sister, Deanna (Gene) Baxter; brother, Emmitt (Cindi) Pfost; daughter-in-law, Becky Winkle; daughter, JoAnn (Mike) Gemar; granddaughters, Mackensie (Rhett Boeker), Courtney (Ryan) Moll, Chelsey Winkle, Tara (Michael) Walker; grandson, Rory (Robin) Winkle; great granddaughter, Maycie; great grandsons, Jaykob Cantrell, Joshua Puente, Dexter & Caleb Moll, Greyson & Jaxon Winkle and Gavin & Jase Walker; as well as nieces and a nephew. In addition, she enjoyed spending time with Mike & JoAnn’s little four-legged furry friend Sophie who gave Nanna many loves and kisses.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, Norma & Cecil Pfost; husbands, John Winkle and Larry Johnson; sons, Jerry Winkle and Greg Winkle; a sister Marie Rigby; great grandson, Kamdyn Cantrell; and his father Charlie Cantrell.

Memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, January 12, 2024, at Farmer Funeral Chapel, 130 9^th Ave N, Buhl.

The family would like to thank Dr. Vaughn Harris and his staff; Personal Care provider, Krystal; Tami Slatter’s staff from Hospice Visions, RN nurses and CNAs that provided such compassionate and loving care for Connie; RN Staci, RN Cindy, RN Sue, RN Eva, RN Rhonda, CNA Ciarra and CNA Heather, Chaplin John and Social Worker Alyssa.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Connie’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, High Fives Foundation, or Hospice Visions.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Connie’s memorial webpage at www.farmerfuneralchapel.com.