Vida Winkley

Vida Winkley, 98, of Polson, MT passed away on Sunday, February 7, 2010 at St. Joseph Medical Center, Polson. Vida was born on February 19, 1911 in Kellerton, IA, the 6th of eight children born to the late Bill and Martha Hackett Vail. At the age of 2, the family set out to homestead in Andes, MT, on the eastern side of the state. After 10 years, the family traded the homestead for a place in Rollins, MT. Later, they then moved to Couer D'Alene, ID where the Vida finished grade school and entered her first year of high school. After a move to Vancouver, WA, she finished high school and attended the Vancouver Business College where she later worked as receptionist in a doctor's office. In 1933, she married O.E. 'Kim' Kimball in Camas, WA. They were blessed with four children, the fist of whom only lived for 11 months, and son, Jim who passed away in 2007. After many moves, they settled in Montana and started a freezer plant that is now M&S Meats. They later divorced in 1958 and Vida moved to Portland, OR where she took a refresher course at the local business college. Afterwards, she returned to Montana and took positions working at Kalispell Hospital, the Lake County Health Department in Polson, and then for several doctors in Missoula. Vida married Jack Winkley in 1964. Jack passed away in 1995. Together, they lived in Rollins for 31 years. She enjoyed playing bridge and those who knew Vida knew not to ask her to do anything on Wednesdays, as that was her bridge day. Growing flowers, looking at the beautiful mountains and lake, reading, or having lunch or dinner out, these were some of Vida's favorite things. Vida loved her family including her bridge and church families and genuinely cared about each and every person. Vida enjoyed her life and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Those left with cherished memories are her two surviving children, Ted Kimball of Spokane, WA and Gail (Sonny) Herreid of Polson: her brother, Jim Vail of Camas, WA, 13 grandchildren, a number of great-grandchildren, and several great great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held this spring, on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at Polson Community Church, Polson. Additional details will be announced as the date draws near. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy can be made as a donation to the Polson City Library, or to the charity of one's choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff at Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory, Polson considers it a privilege to care for the family of Mrs. Winkley.
Read Vida Winkley's Obituary and Guestbook.