Kate Marie Winkle January 10, 2006 - September 12, 2022

Kate Marie Winkle

Kate Marie Winkle, 16, passed away on Monday, September 12, 2022, at her home after a long battle with an undiagnosed neurodegenerative disorder.

Kate was born on January 10, 2006, in Boise, Idaho, to Tim and Cindy Winkle.  She was brought home to Nampa, but at 18 months old, her family moved to Middleton, where she and her three older sisters embraced life in the country.  Kate attended Middleton schools from the age of three until she was 14.  She was a student at Purple Sage Elementary, Middleton Heights, Middleton Middle School, and Middleton High School.  Due to her declining health, she stopped attending after her freshman year.  Kate’s family will never forget the wonderful, caring, and supportive people that were a part of Kate’s education and assistance in Middleton.  The students and staff embraced her with love and acceptance and she, herself, made a difference in the lives of so many.  Everyone that knew her loved her.

Kate’s neurodegenerative disorder began to appear when she was about two and a half years old.  Until then, she was a typical toddler, walking, talking, running, and laughing with her big sisters.  Her family remembers the precious phrases she would say, such as “You’re my best friend,” and “I want that for my birthday,” whenever she would see fancy sports car.

When her decline became apparent, her parents began taking her to numerous doctors and specialists.  They traveled to Seattle Children’s Hospital and Primary Children’s Hospital in Utah. Additionally, they sent DNA to Baylor University in Texas for genetic testing. Unfortunately, no answers for what ailed Kate were ever found.  Her family committed to keeping her life joyful and comfortable, continuing her care at St. Luke’s Children’s in Boise, Idaho.   The doctors, nurses, therapists, respiratory therapists, and staff at St. Luke’s will always hold a special place in her family’s hearts.  Kate also had physical therapy in Caldwell at West Valley Therapy, and her therapist will always be a cherished friend.

Kate loved all things pink.  She loved Barbie, Tinkerbell, Disney princesses, motorcycles, and sports cars.   She loved dressing up on Halloween and trick-or-treating.  She was always smiling, and her laughter would melt any heart.  Kate was able to enjoy many trips over the years with her family.  She went to Disneyland and the Oregon Coast and enjoyed many weekends at her grandparents’ cabin in Donnelly, Idaho.  She loved the lake, she loved the nightly fires in the fire pit, and she loved being with her family.  Kate was selected for a Make-A-Wish trip in 2014. She chose to go to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World, and she and her family were able to stay at the Give Kids the World Village during their stay in Florida.  This once-in-a-lifetime trip was a huge blessing amidst the difficult years, and the memories made on that trip are some of her family’s most precious. Additionally, she was also able to travel to Maui with her mom, dad, sisters, maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in 2015.   The time spent together there will always be treasured.

Kate is survived by her parents, Tim and Cindy; her sister Emma and brother-in-law Bradley; her sisters Abigail and Grace;  her paternal grandparents, Andrew and Helen Winkle; her maternal grandparents, Daniel and Marjorie Rule; her uncles and aunts, Joseph and Jennifer Winkle, Eric and Sheila Winkle, Andrew and Joni Rule, and Dom and Donna Cote; her cousins Anna, Sophia, Isabella, Vianna, and Zoelle Winkle,  Connor, Carson (and his wife Ashley), and Lauren Rule, and Daniel and Samuel Cote.

Kate was a blessing to everyone who knew her, and she will be missed by so many.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Wild Heart Springs Event Center in Wilder, Idaho.  29117 Peckham Road, Wilder.  Lunch will be served.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any gifts to be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho: https://secure2.wish.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=donate_today&chid=056-000 in Kate’s name.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bowman Funeral Parlor of Garden City.