Page 153 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Fred Winkels: 1953-1954

Most Worshipful Brother Fred Winkels, the son of John and Elizabeth
Winkels, was born in Winona, Minnesota on November 17, 1892. His
parents being of thrifty, pioneer stock, saw visions in the West and ten
years later moved with their children to Spokane. It was here that he
completed the Grade and High Schools in the City of Spokane and later
studied metallurgy and assaying, practicing that profession in Colorado
and later in California but returned to Spokane in 1912 to become
associated with his father in the wholesale and retail meat business. It
speaks volumes for the Masonic traits of stability and dependability in that
he continued the same business and in the same location until he retired in
February 1954, a period of approximately forty-two years. During his long
and honorable career in Spokane, Brother Winkels' sphere of influence
widened beyond the confines of the city. His business savvy and judgment was so respected that for years
he had been on the advisory board of the Inland Empire's Food Dealers' Association.

His Masonic journey began on March 1, 1923, when he applied for the degrees of Masonry in East Gate
Lodge No. 222. He would receive his Entered Apprentice Degree on May 21, 1923; be passed to the
Fellow Craft Degree on June 28, 1923; and raised to the Sublime Degree of a Master Mason on July 19,
1923. He would advance quickly through the chairs, being elected to serve as Worshipful Master in 1926.

Our Brother would be appointed by Most Worshipful Brother John Preissner as Custodian of the Work in
1933. It was said that he was one of the best ritualists in the Grand Jurisdiction, having passed several
examinations and secured a three year Certificate of Ritual Proficiency at each examination. A subsequent
appointment in 1935 to the position of Deputy of the Grand Master would be granted by Most Worshipful
Brother Walter Steffey. Following his tenure as Deputy, he served as a member of the Masonic Home
Board. During that period he was recommended and appointed Representative of the Grand Lodge of
Maryland near the Grand Lodge of Washington. He would be elected Junior Grand Warden in 1950
making the regular progression through the line officers' stations, being elected and installed Grand Master
in June 1953. Most Worshipful Brother Winkels brought to the brethren of the Grand Lodge of
Washington a capacity for close personal friendships and the ability to have with that membership a deep
human understanding.

Following his service as Grand Master, he served as Fraternal Correspondent until his death on June 24,
1974. Loyalty and willingness had been his first and foremost consideration. From our records and from
those of many Fraternal Correspondents in other Jurisdictions, he was considered the Dean of writers.

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