Winnie's Funeral Service Video

Winnifred (Winnie) Laabs, 98, Appleton, WI, formerly of Hortonville, WI, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at Appleton Retirement Community (ARC). She was born on October 8, 1927 to Walter and Carrie (Relien) Lueck in Hortonville. She became a Child of God at her baptism, and was confirmed in her faith in Jesus Christ, both at Bethlehem Ev. Lutheran Church, Hortonville. She married Gilbert Laabs on June 4, 1949. They were married almost 59 years at Gilbert's passing in March, 2008. This union was blessed with four children: Greg, Sheryl, Jerome, and Kendal. She taught them about Jesus, and had so many more years teaching others!

Winnifred attended Bethlehem Lutheran grade school and Hortonville High School, graduating in 1945. She graduated in 1948 from Wisconsin State Teachers College in Oshkosh, and taught in rural and one-room schools. While she was raising her own children, she took night classes and summer school classes to finish her third year of college. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from UW-Oshkosh in 1969. After 13 years of teaching in Hortonville, she taught at Emanuel Lutheran School in New London for 16 years.

She became a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Dale, after marriage, where she was a long-time member of the Senior Choir, a member of the Couples' Club, Ladies Aid, the Lutheran Women's Missionary Society (LWMS) and a Saturday School teacher for 30 years. The Laabs family farmed in Dale after marriage, and then in the Town of Hortonia from 1957-1981.They were Farm Bureau members for over 50 years, where she served on the local, county and State Women's Committees.

Winnifred is survived by her children: Greg (Lea Ann) Laabs, Sheryl (Ken) Hagen, and Jerome (Sue) Laabs, all of Appleton; seven precious grandchildren: Robert (Leah) Laabs, Elizabeth (Trevor) Neunsinger, Kurt (Christi) Hagen, Peter (Desiree) Hagen, Claire (Karl) Schauland, Kristin (Aaron) Sass, and Jenna (Joe) Putzstuck; nineteen great-grandchildren: Morgan and Taylor Laabs; Adah, Evangeline, Mark, Joseph, Lilah and Nora Hagen; Joel, Leland, Warrick and Colette Hagen; Gideon, Greta, Gwendolyn and Garrett Schauland; Hallie and Aiden Sass, and Chloe Putzstuck; brother-in-law, Dennis Laabs, sisters-in-law Marion Laabs and Jan Laabs; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Preceding her in death were her loving husband, Gilbert; their son, Kendal; parents Walter and Carrie Lueck; her dear sister Ruth, and Gilbert's parents Robert and Agnes Laabs; In-laws also preceded her in death (all named Laabs) - Melvin & Nona, Willard, Don, and Caroline; Milton Collar (Shirley) and special friend, Cliff Broehm. Winnifred enjoyed serving the Lord, Bible classes, and sewing (including sewing Sheryl's wedding gown).

She & Gilbert traveled to five continents, as well as many states across the United States. She was an accomplished cook, always making holidays special with decorations out at the farm. She enjoyed playing sheephead and going out to old time dances with Gilbert. More recently, she loved to read, do crafts and listen to music at ARC.

The Christian Funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at 11am at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, N926 Dale Ave, Dale, WI, with visitation from 9-11am at the church before the service. A luncheon will follow. Winnifred will be laid to rest at Highland Memorial Park, 3131 N. Richmond St, Appleton, WI, to await the resurrection of her mortal body at the Last Day when Christ will return.

The family would like to thank Appleton Retirement Community for all of the kind care, concern, fun, friendship and camaraderie while she lived there for the past 8.5 years. Thank you also to Moments Hospice for all of their care and expertise in her last weeks and days, and to the pastors who tended to Winnie's spiritual needs over the years. Blessed be her memory.