Mildred Alina VanWinkle was born February 22, 1913, in Hegbert Township, Swift County, to Michael and Minda (Stenstuen) Larson. She was baptized in 1913 and was confirmed June 12, 1927, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Artichoke Township. She attended school at District 65 at rural Correll.On November 21, 1932, she was married to Howard M. VanWinkle at Drywood Lutheran Church. She worked as a farmer's wife and homemaker until 1957 when she and Howard moved into Appleton. After moving into Appleton she worked at Doege's Nursing Home for several years.Mildred was a member of Zion Lutheran Church where she was active with the women's circles and the ladies aid. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, birds, cooking, sewing and quilting, and music-especially hymns. Mildred loved everyone and always found something positive in everyone.Mildred died on Tuesday morning, November 1, at Appleton Area Health Services. She had attained 98 years, 8 months, and 9 days of age.She is survived by five children: Garold (Marlys) VanWinkle of Appleton, Marlys (DeWayne) Bartz of Appleton, Betty (DuWayne) Underthun of Willmar, Janice (Martin) Skillman of Sioux Falls, SD, and Dianne (Larry) Swartz of Ham Lake; 20 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; two brothers: Chester Larson and Melvin Larson both of Appleton; two sisters: Gerda (Ken) Saulsbury of Willmar, and Eleanor Anderson of New York; several nieces, nephews, and other relatives.She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Howard, on April 17, 1993; her sister and brother-in-law, Luella and Clarence Jagow; and her brother-in-law, Willard Anderson.
