Tonya Lea Winger

Oct 11, 1966 — Jun 24, 2026

Colby, Kansas

Tonya Lea Winger. Photo courtesy of Baalmann Mortuary and Crematory

Tonya Lea Winger, 59, of Colby, died Wednesday, June 24, 2026. She was born on October 11, 1966, in Gregory, SD, to Leo and Darlene (Hecker) Neilan. Tonya graduated in 1985 from Stanton County High School, in Johnson, KS and then attended Colby Community College. She married her high school sweetheart, Mark Winger, on June 7, 1986. The couple lived in Nebraska and Texas before making their home in Colby in 1990. Tonya was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom to their three boys and enjoyed attending their sporting events. As the kids got older, she started working as an elementary teacher at Heartland Christian School, where she remained until her retirement in October 2025. In her free time, Tonya enjoyed reading, doing crafts and scrapbooking. She valued her friendships and her family. She loved attending her grandchildren’s events and they loved when she invited them to do “activities” with her, which was her special way of spoiling them.

Tonya was preceded in death by her husband Mark and father Leo Neilan.

She is survived by her sons, Chaz (Dakota) Winger, Colby, Zane (Morgan) Winger, Sterling, CO, and Gage (Kinley) Winger, Colby; mother Darlene Neilan, Colby; brothers, Monte (Trinity) Neilan and Perre (Jenn) Neilan; and her grandchildren, Kobee, Easton, Archer, Mesa, Canyon and Tyce.

A memorial service will take place at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 3, 2026, at Celebration Community Church, Colby. Memorials may be made to Heartland Christian School and mailed in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com