Anita Mary Augusta Winkler

Anita Mary Augusta Winkler
July 3, 1951 – August 31, 2024

Anita Mary Augusta Winkler, aged 73, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024. Born in 1951, she was predeceased by her loving parents, Ann and Gerald Winkler. She is survived by her brothers, Ralph (wife Floss) Winkler and Roger (wife Tricia) Winkler, stepdaughter Kristen (husband Fred) Vela, nieces Nikko (husband Bill) Konyk and Nauja (husband Kevin Mykle) Winkler (daughters of Ralph and Floss), and nephew Connor Winkler (son of Roger and Tricia). She is also survived by great niece Talor (husband Daan Van Vorstenbosch) Mykle-Winkler (daughter of Nauja and Kevin), great nephews Brendan (son of Nauja and Kevin) Mykle-Winkler and Billy (son of Nikko and Bill) Konyk, as well as step-granddaughters Elleree and Hadlee (daughters of Kristen and Fred) Vela.

Anita graduated from Pocatello (Idaho) High School in 1969, where she was an honor student. She was a National Merit Scholarship finalist and recipient of numerous awards. She was active in French Club, Pep Club, and Girl’s State. Following high school, Anita continued as a dedicated scholar, earning her Bachelor of Arts from Lewis & Clark College in 1973, a Master’s degree from Cal State Hayward in 1975, and later, a Juris Doctor from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis & Clark College in 2000.

During her undergraduate years at Lewis & Clark, she worked for the City of Portland City Council, where her interest in transit began. Anita's professional journey began as the head of an all-female busing company, Bay Area Transportation Company, before serving as the Deputy Director of Transit for the City of Santa Rosa beginning in 1984. In 1997, she returned to law school to specialize in water law, later becoming the director of the Oregon Water Resources Congress. She ultimately returned to Santa Rosa in 2011, resuming her previous position until her retirement in 2016.

Anita’s talents and interests were numerous and diverse. A passionate advocate for animals, Anita devoted much of her time to organizations focused on the adoption and care of cats and rabbits. She also had a lifelong passion for ice dancing, competing and performing in numerous events throughout her life. She loved reading, did math in her head, perfected the art of sarcasm and dry humor, knew how and occasionally played the piano and the violin, and had recently learned to line dance. During college, she soloed with the Portland Symphony on violin.

Anita received many accolades for her leadership in public administration, service to the community, and mentorship of youth. Notably, the City of Santa Rosa nominated her for the California Transit Association's Distinguished Service Award. She also received awards for leadership from the Agri-business Council of Oregon, The American Society for Public Administration (San Francisco/Bay Area Chapter), and the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, among others.

Anita will be remembered with much love by her family and numerous friends and the many people she helped throughout most of her life. She will be remembered for her rational perspective, curious mind, her reliability and fierce independence. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to animal charities of their choice in her name. No memorial service is planned.

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