Frances Lorenz Winkler 93, of La Plata, died January 9, 2013 following a brief illness. Born July 10, 1919 in Baden, MD she was the daughter of Ralph M. and Mary Lorenz.

Her family moved to La Plata in 1923. She was the second of five children raised at "The Homeplace" and a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church. She was one of the few remaining survivors of the deadly tornado that struck La Plata Elementary School in 1926 in which 13 children died. She was among the first students to attend Sacred Heart School which opened in 1927. In 1937 she graduated from Strayers Business School in Washington, DC and was employed by the Department of Agriculture in La Plata.

She married Bernard Reese Winkler in 1938 and assisted in running the family plumbing and heating business in La Plata, while raising their three children. In the early 1950's, she and her husband purchased interest a second family-owned business, La Plata Mill and Rental. She worked alongside her son and grandsons as bookkeeper for the business until 2006.

She was Prefect of the Sacred Heart Church Sodality for 12 years, and for many years hosted the PAC+P Rosary Group in her home. Mrs. Winkler was known for her exemplary volunteerism, meritorious public service, and high spirit of community involvement. She received awards for service from the Charles County Commissioners and the Charles County Business and Professional Women's Club. She often stated, "Our town will only be as good as the residents make it."

She served 15 years as an elected La Plata Town Councilwomen and 16 years on the La Plata Beautification Committee and town Planning Commission. She also served on the Maryland Municipal League. Her community service included volunteering at Physicians Memorial Hospital, (Civista Medical Center) with the Gray Ladies Red Cross and she was a member of the 2N1 Club at the Richard R. Clark Senior Center.

She had a deep love for gardening enjoyed a lifetime membership in the Charles County Garden Club and the La Plata Garden Club. She served as President of CCGC from 1969 - 1971 and served on the Federated Garden Clubs of MD District II Board of Directors for ten years. She was a Landscape Design Consultant, an Accredited Flower Show Judge, and a Charles County Master Gardener .

She is survived by one sister, Anna Lee Breitenbach, and her three children, Bernard R.Winkler, Jr., R. Wayne Winkler, wife Paula, and Mary Beth Chandler, husband Kenneth, seven grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and one great- great- granddaughter.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January13th from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., prayers at Arehart -Echols Funeral Home in La Plata with prayers at 5:00 Monsignor Oliver McGready will officiate at the Mass for Christian Burial on Monday Jan. 14th, 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Church in La Plata. Interment will follow at the church cemetery on St. Mary's Avenue.

Arrangements provided by Arehart -Echols Funeral Home.