Vera Marie (Sagler) Humphrey Winchell, age 88, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2026, at Mayo Hospital in La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Vera was born February 24, 1938, in the Town of Wheatland, in Vernon County, WI, to William and Ruth (DeLano) Sagler. She graduated from De Soto High School in 1955 and worked at Gundersen Hospital in La Crosse until June 18, 1958, when she married Donald Humphrey.
The couple moved to rural Sparta, where they farmed together on the Humphrey homestead. Four children were born to their union: Larry, David, Jean, and Barbara. Donald passed away on October 2, 1980. In 1986, Vera and her daughter, Barb, moved into Sparta, where she worked at Country Market from 1987 to 2005, then at Wal-Mart until she retired in 2009.
On November 2, 1996, Vera married Darrell Winchell, who preceded her in death on December 24, 2009.
Vera enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed dancing, baking, her flowers, loom knitting, going out to lunch with her friends, reading, and puzzles.
Vera belonged to the Big Creek Methodist Church until it closed; she then became a member of the Rockland Methodist Church congregation.
She is survived by her children, David Humphrey of Milwaukee; Jean (Jay) Cox of Sparta; and Barb (Clayton) Jewell of Tomah; her daughter-in-law, Lynn Humphrey of Sparta; her stepchildren, Ken Hutschenreuter, Joan McBain, Paul Hutschenreuter, David Winchell, Jim (Sue) Winchell, Jason (Tanya) Winchell, Sue Winchell, Tim Winchell, Cindy Winchell, Jennifer Winchell, and Patti Winchell; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is further survived by her brother, Carl (Kathy) Sagler; her sisters-in-law, Merle Sagler and Vicky (Gary) Arneson; and many nieces and nephews.
Vera was preceded in death by her husbands, Donald Humphrey and Darrell Winchell; her son, Larry Humphrey; her parents, William and Ruth Sagler; an infant brother; her brother and sister-in-law, Wilbert and Kathie Sagler; her brother, Marvin Sagler; Donald’s parents, Tracy and Orah Humphrey; Darrell’s parents, Byron and Mildred Winchell; her sister-in-law, Evelyn (John) Richey; her brother-in-law, Lauren (Joann) Humphrey; and her stepdaughter, Debra Winchell.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Mayo Hospital in La Crosse for the wonderful care and support they provided to Mom.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Torkelson Funeral Home in Sparta. Chaplain Priscilla Hemmersbach will officiate. Burial will follow in the Big Creek Union Cemetery in Sparta. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. The Torkelson Funeral Home in Sparta is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
Torkelson Funeral Home
