Winnie W. Applebee was called to her Heavenly Home on Sunday, March 19, 2006 at the Omro Care Center where she had been a resident for almost four weeks. She was born in Neenah on August 1, 1915 to Robert E. and Violet Mae (Webster) Wilson. The first several years of her life were spent in Oshkosh before the family moved to the Wild Rose area. This is where she was raised and attended school. Winnie was married to Kenneth Larsen on September 10, 1933 in the town of Springwater. They lived in Pine River before moving to the Waukau area in 1941. Together they raised eleven children before her husband died on September 11, 1961. She later met and married Fred Applebee in Waukau on June 20, 1970. This added four more children to her family.

She was a member of the Waukau United Methodist Church. In 2000 she was presented with a special mission pin that is recorded through the Women's Division in New York in honor of her many years of service to the church. She was a very active member of the Waukau Youth Group for many years. Music played a big part in her life. Her children remember her singing to them all of her life and she loved singing in church. Her last request the day before she left us was for her daughter to sing with her. We know she is now singing in God's Choir.

She worked for short times at various factories but spent most of her time with her children, who will greatly miss her.

Winnie is survived by Fred, her loving husband of 36 years; five sons, Kenneth (Helen) Larsen of Waukau, Richard (Sharon) Larsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Dean (June) Larsen of Waukau, Inert (Lori) Larsen of Waukau, Rex (friend Daryl) Larsen of Oshkosh; six daughters, Rogene Larsen of Omro, Vernita Fink of Eureka, Laurel (Cully) Franz of Omro, Diane Campbell of Klamath Falls, Oregon, Linda Triechel of Oshkosh and Robin Larsen of Oshkosh; three step-sons, Fred (Linda) Applebee of Oshkosh, Steve (Leann) Applebee of Omro and Chris (Jill) Applebee of Waukau; one step daughter, Kathy (John) Spanbauer of Oshkosh. She is further survived by 39 grandchildren, 111 great and great great grandchildren, her brother, Roy (Charlotte) Shaffer of Waupaca. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband, Kenneth, four sons, Keith, Jerry, Larry and David; three grandsons, Randy, Keith and Kenneth; one great granddaughter, Rachel; two very special sons in law, David Campbell and Robert Fink. Ten brothers and four sisters also preceded her and are waiting to welcome her home.

Visitation for Winnie will be held at the Omro Funeral Home on Thursday, March 23, 2006 from 4 to 8 p.m. and at Waukau United Methodist Church on Friday, March 24, 2006 from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Charles Davis officiating. Burial will follow in the Waukau Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank all the workers at the Omro Care Center for their loving care, concern and dedication.

We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly; in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you; you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one, the Chain will link again.