Gwendlyn Mae Rockwell, age 87, of Eau Claire (formerly of Mondovi and Durand), died peacefully on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at Luther Hospital in Eau Claire.
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Gwen was born on June 22, 1923 in La Crosse, the daughter of the late Ralph and Annette (Plummer)
Kins. On August 16, 1950, she married Walter Fred Rockwell in Decorah, Iowa. Over the years, they had 4 children.
Gwen graduated from Durand High School with the class of 1941. She then attended The Stout Institute in Menomonie for one year, later completing one year at McDowell School of Fashion in New York City. While awaiting her enlistment in the Navy, Gwen worked for a time as a welder in San Diego, California. She enlisted in the WAVES on August 15, 1944 and trained at Hunter College in New York. She was stationed in New York, Jacksonville, FL and Great Lakes, IL before her honorable discharge on May 7, 1946. Gwen then enrolled and soloed in a GI flight education program in
Frontenac, MN. Prior to her marriage, she worked as a secretary at U.S. Rubber Co. in Eau Claire (which later became
Uniroyal, Inc.) |
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| Gwen always considered herself to be a homemaker. She had been a talented seamstress who also enjoyed knitting and baking (particularly Norwegian recipes). She had been a staunch supporter of her children's activities and also had been a Cub Scout Den Mother. In later years, she volunteered at Luther Hospital and had been active in a local Red Hats group. Gwen was quite patriotic and a strong supporter of the military and its veterans. She also truly enjoyed frequent visits with her many longtime friends. Most of all, she was happiest at her own home, where she daily fed numerous varieties of wildlife that came into her yard. |
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Gwen is survived by her children and their families; sons, Peter (Shirley) Rockwell of Madison, William (Donna) Rockwell of Chippewa Falls, and David (Jane) Rockwell of Eau Claire; daughter, Tina (Bruce) Jacobson of Fall Creek; 10 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; sisters-in-law, Betty Kins of Madison, Jean Kins of Dunedin, FL, Ellen (George) Schultz of Mondovi, and Elaine Rockwell of Selma, CA; special niece Tonya (Curt) Knudsen; also by numerous other nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents and her husband, Fred; her brothers, John and Ralph Jr.; her brother-in-law, James Rockwell; and her father and mother-in-law, Houser and Estelle Rockwell.
At Gwen's request, there will be no formal visitation or funeral service. In late September, her family will gather for a private service at the Northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner where her cremains will be laid to rest. Gwen's family is planning to make a donation to the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN in her name.
Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.fullerspeckienhulke.com.
Fuller Speckien Hulke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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