Grace Evelyn Van Winkle

Grace was born on April 5, 1928, in Hutchinson, Kansas, the youngest child of Pastor Virgil Mott Hayes and Elsie Lillian Parkhurst. Living most of her early years in Kansas, she moved to California in 1947 and married her Wartime pen pal, Alfred Van Winkle. For the past 52 years, Grace enjoyed living on the property she and Alf purchased in Jamul, California, the Van Winkle Tree Farm. There she sold Christmas trees, hosted Fundraising events for the Home of Guiding Hands, Jamul Volunteer Fire Dept, school field trips, and Service members who needed a “home for the Holidays”.

She was passionate about her faith, family and friends. Staying sharp minded until the very end, Grace filled her life with Church choir, service to her Church, Farm Bureau, Genealogy, travel, Daughters of the American Revolution, Studebaker club, playing cards, sewing, crafting, and quilting. The gift shop at the Van Winkle Tree Farm was festively merchandised each year displaying all her quilts, Christmas ornaments, centerpieces, and wreaths.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Van Winkle, one son Larry Van Winkle, sister Esther, and two brothers, Grant and Charles.

Grace devoted her life to being a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Lyn, her sons, Darrell and his wife, Marilyn, and Carl and his wife, Kitty, and six grandchildren, Scott Van Winkle, Tara Van Winkle, Lucas Van Winkle, Cara O’Connor, Chris Corea, Colbys Corea Hernandez, and Fergie Van Winkle. “GG” held a deep affection for spending time with her 8 surviving great grandchildren who were eternally influenced by God’s love because of her. All, along with many other family and friends, as well as her cat Sissy, will sadly miss her.

A memorial service celebrating Grace’s Life will be held on October 3, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Vista La Mesa Christian Church, in La Mesa, CA. We invite all who knew and loved Grace and her family, to join us in honoring her memory.