Betty Lee Freeman

Female 1926 - 2016  (89 years)


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  • Name Betty Lee Freeman 
    Born 18 Aug 1926  Iowa Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 24 Feb 2016 
    Buried Trinity Ev. Lutheran Cemetery, Kaukauna, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I201294  Little Chute Genealogy
    Last Modified 26 Feb 2016 

    Family Frank R Winkel,   b. 12 Dec 1924, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Oct 2016  (Age 91 years) 
    Married 17 Mar 1946 
    Children 
     1. Judith Kay Winkel,   b. 13 Jul 1947, Green Bay, Brown, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 06 Jul 2007  (Age 59 years)
     2. Living
     3. Living
     4. Living
    Last Modified 21 Jul 2022 
    Family ID F80335  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
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  • Notes 
    • Winkel, Betty Lee

      Betty Winkel, a child of God, was unexpectedly called home to his loving and waiting arms on Wednesday, February 24, 2016. Her loved ones were at her side. Betty was born in Clarinda, Iowa on August 18, 1926, daughter of the late Samuel and Mary (Heriford) Freeman. During World War II, Betty worked at the Oakland Army Base where she met the love of her life, Frank "Rip" Winkel, a naval navigator. The couple married shortly after the war ended, on March 17, 1946. They returned to Green Bay where Betty began working as a telephone operator. Their family grew with the birth of four daughters. After raising her family, Betty worked as a special education teaching aide in the Appleton Area School District. During these years, Rip operated Van Wink TV in Appleton, and Betty was the bookkeeper for the business. Betty was a longtime member of First English Lutheran Church in Appleton. After moving to her home on Lake Poygan, she became a member of St. Peter's Ev. Lutheran Church. Betty and Frank retired to a beautiful home in Florida, but eventually returned to what Rip calls "God's Country." Betty enjoyed cooking, sewing, shopping, travel, and visiting Door County, but her greatest love was being with her family. She treasured each of her loved ones, and will be deeply missed.

      She is survived by her husband of sixty-nine years: Frank "Rip" Winkel of Larsen; three loving daughters: Kathy (Paul) Van Gompel of Hortonville; Susan (Dr. Jim) Rouse of Sherwood; and Wendy (Kirk) Meyer of Appleton.

      Her grandchildren are: Ryan Schultz, Ria Schultz, Natalia (John) Vasquez, Juan De La Cruz, Scott Schmidt - Gerhardt, Dr. Joshua (Aime) Van Gompel, Dr. Gabriel (Kristin) Van Gompel, Rachael (Andrew) Schley, Aaron Rouse, Dylan (Katie) Meyer, Corey Meyer, and Mason (Melissa) Meyer. Betty's great-grandchildren include: Sage, Skyler, Ava, Morgan, Logan, Klara, Reese, Jude, Madison, Juanito, Emerie, Brando, Gabriel, and Sonya, There are also many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Betty was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter: Judith Gerhardt; a twin sister: Barbara (Neal) Fuller; a sister: Ruth (Claude) Seeds; and sisters-in-law: Alnett (Bernard) Miller and Doris (Donald) Joly.

      The Christian Funeral Service for Betty will be held at 6:00 PM on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at the WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME, TRI COUNTY CHAPEL, 1592 Oneida Street in Menasha, with Rev. Paul Zittlow of St. Peter Ev. Lutheran Church in Larsen officiating. Interment will be in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Kaukauna. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on Saturday afternoon from 5:00 PM until the time of the service.

      For more information or to share a memory of Betty, please visit www.wichmannfargo.com.