1944-2022
Patricia Louise Ringger Winkelmann Ellis was born in Memphis, TN on May 28, 1944. She graduated from Central High School (1962). Pat attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Junior College, Concordia, Missouri (1964) then completed her degree in music education at Concordia River Forest, Chicago (1966). She moved to New York City, married Edward Winkelmann in 1967 and taught second grade at St. Matthew’s Lutheran School for two years. The family moved back to Memphis in 1974. She met and married Nat working at the Internal Revenue Service, where she worked a total of 33 years, many of them as an appeals officer.
Pat was also the consummate volunteer, spending many hours counseling at Life Choices of Memphis and led a chapter of Lutherans for Life. She was a member of the Josephine Circle and served as president. She volunteered at the LCMS Midsouth District office. She loved leading Bible studies and enjoyed book clubs with dear friends. As a lifelong Lutheran, Pat served many roles at Trinity Lutheran Church, including organist, choir director, children’s choir director and Sunday School teacher.
Pat was preceded in death by her mother, Julia Klee Ringger, her father, Louis Ringger and her son, Eddie Winkelmann. She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Nat Bowe Ellis of Collierville, her 3 daughters and ten grandchildren: Julie (Paul), Emma, and Wes Jeter of Knoxville, Susie (Jeff), John, Maddie, Elle, and Will Weatherall of Kingsport and Rosie (Terry), Cooper, Carter, Cole, and Cate Turner of Knoxville as well as her brother Bill Ringger (Sue) of Parsons, TN. Pat was a friend to everyone she met and a joy to all. She loved her family, friends, and especially, her 10 grandchildren.
There will be a service to celebrate her life at Trinity Lutheran Church, 210 Washington Avenue (38103) on October 8, 2022, at 11:00a.m. Memorials and remembrances may be sent to Trinity Lutheran Church (www.trinitymemphis.org), or Life Choices of Memphis (lifechoicesmemphis.org), or charity of your choice. Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273) www.cremationoptionsinc.com.
