Gene Winchester

Graveside services for Gene Winchester will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 25, 2026 at the Farm Creek Cemetery - Henderson, IA. Loess Hills Funeral Home of Carson is caring for Gene and his family.

Memorials: Directed to the family

Elbert Eugene Winchester, 90, of Council Bluffs, IA, passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at Northcrest Living Center in Council Bluffs.

He was one of six children of Helen Marie (Wight) and Elbert William Winchester, was born on April 6, 1936 in Henderson, Iowa. Fondly known as Gene, he grew up and attended schools in Henderson, graduating in 1954.

Gene accepted the Lord into his life, at age 12, while attending a Bible camp. Gene was baptized and became a member of Grace Baptist Church in Red Oak, Iowa and had been attending Southview Bible Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Gene married Patricia Ann Hudson of Hastings, Iowa in 1955. They made their home in the towns of Hastings and Henderson and were parents of two children, Michael Eugene and India Denise “Susie”.

Gene married Margie Ann Johnson of Essex, Iowa in 1957. They made their home in Red Oak, Iowa briefly, before Gene was transferred to Missouri, where they lived in Kansas City, then moved to the cities of Maryville, Sedalia and then ending up in St. Joseph. They moved back to Iowa and lived in the towns of Essex and Emerson, before moving to Council Bluffs, in 1977. They were parents of three children, Timothy Eugene, Sonja Lyn and Jeffrie Lea.

Gene was a 6-year member of the National Guard. He worked for Singer Sewing Machine Company for 20 years and was awarded trips to Florida, New York, Nashville and Chicago. In 1975, Gene became an insurance agent for Met Life. He received several salesmanship and manager awards and won trips to Hawaii, Florida, New York, Chicago and Palm Springs. Gene retired from Met Life in 1996.

Gene enjoyed many vacations with his family, traveling throughout the United States. He loved attending his children’s school activities. He enjoyed fishing and an occasional game of pool, and being a referee and umpire for high school games. But above all, his greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Josephine Kannel and husband George “Junior”, Eva Jane Wallace and husband Veldon, and Geneva Erickson and husband Roy; and brother Norman Winchester and wife Norma.

Gene is survived by his children, Mike Winchester of Malvern, IA, Susie Stephens and husband Audie of Phoenix, AZ, Tim Winchester and wife Traci of Henderson, NE, Sonja Norman and husband Mike of Middleburg, FL and Jeffrie Henry and husband Todd of Orange Park, FL; eight grandchildren, Ryan Magneson and wife Joanne and Travis Magneson, all of Phoenix, AZ, Stacy Harmon and Husband of Phoenix, AZ, Brittney Winchester and Curtis, Taelor Armstrong and Husband Keiton of Lincoln, NE, and Sean Winchester and fiancé Chloe, of Lincoln, Ne, Jack Henry and Autumn Henry of Orange Park, FL; and several great grandchildren; brother James Winchester and wife Annie of Sioux Falls, SD; his niece Nancy Van Pelt, who was a great friend and help to him; and other nieces and nephews.