Curtis (Curt) Alexander Winkle of Terre Haute died August 7, 2026, surrounded by his children and their lineage at The Gibson Family Center for Hospice Care, just shy of his 95th birthday.

Curt was born August 14, 1931, in Primrose, Nebraska, to a Presbyterian minister and his wife, and spent his boyhood years following his father’s ministry across Wyoming and South Dakota. An Eagle Scout, three-sport letterman, and French horn player, Curt worked his way through Huron College earning his B.A. in Psychology in 1954. It was at Huron College, through choir, that he met Constance (Connie) Christiansen, and the two were married on June 20 of that year.

Two weeks after the wedding, Curt reported for Army basic training, and the newlyweds soon found themselves stationed at Ft. Gulick in Panama, where he played French horn in the Army band.

Returning to the United States, the Winkles settled first in Pierre, South Dakota, where Curt taught science and later became the school’s first Director of Guidance and Testing. Graduate study at the University of Minnesota followed, and in 1966 the family — with four children, soon to be five — moved to Terre Haute, where Curt joined Indiana State University as Director of Student Personnel for Teacher Education, later becoming Director of Advisement and Certification. Over three decades at ISU, he shepherded thousands of students through teaching licensure and graduation before retiring in 1996.

Curt and Connie were longtime members of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, where he sang in the choir, served on the vestry, and was Senior Warden. He helped reorganize the Terre Haute Choral Society and served as its president. In retirement, he and Connie traveled across the country and in Europe and were regulars at jazz festivals in Telluride, Vail, and Denver. In May 1987, the two sailed home from Europe on Cunard’s QE2 on what the crew at the time called one of its stormiest North Atlantic crossings — a story both Curt and Connie loved to retell. Ever an early adopter, he bought one of the first Apple Macintosh computers sight unseen in 1984 and stayed loyal to the brand for the rest of his life.

The couple moved to Westminster Village in 2006, as Connie’s Alzheimer’s disease, first diagnosed in 1999, progressed. Curt lovingly cared for her there until her death in 2012 — a devotion that stood as a lasting model to his children and grandchildren of what it means to love unconditionally. After Connie’s death, Curt remained deeply engaged at Westminster Village — serving as Treasurer, Vice President, and then President of the Residents’ Association, and later chairing its Memorial Committee. He was a steady presence at St. Stephen’s, scheduling lectors and chalicists for years, singing in the choir and gave his time to Community Theatre Boosters — carrying forward Connie’s long love of the theater.

Curt often said his greatest accomplishment was his family: five children, ten grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren, all of whom he considered a wonderful, caring contribution to the world.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Connie.

He is survived by his five children, Curtis R. (Ken) of Chicago, IL, Christi of Terre Haute, IN, Clarke (Debbie) of St. Peters, MO, Carter (Miguel) of Miami Shores, FL, and Caryl Lynn (Randy) of St. Louis, MO, his nine grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and his siblings, Ken Winkle (Anne) of Kenosha, WI and Carolyn Anderson of Sioux Falls, SD.

Services will be officiated by the Rev. Drew Downs at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Saturday, October 3, at 11 a.m. His family will gather with friends and relatives at the church at 10 a.m. before the service.

Immediately following the service, his ashes will be scattered in The Mabley Garden at St. Stephen’s. Members of the church will then host a reception for family and friends.

The family wishes to express special thanks to the staff of Westminster Village, Union Hospital, and The Gibson Family Center for Hospice Care for their exceptional and compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the Community Theatre of Terre Haute, the Alzheimer’s Association, or the Connie Winkle Arts and Education Scholarship fund at Barry University.