Winifred “Winnie” Ceceilla Philipps, 88, passed away Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, surrounded by her family at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester, Minn. Winnie was born Feb. 11, 1932, to William and Cecelia (Schauls) Kunst in La Crescent.
Winnie married the love of her life, Everett R. Philipps, April 7, 1951, in Winona. They made their home on the Philipps’ family farm in Winona County, and to them were born five children. After Everett’s untimely death in 1964 from cancer at the age of 37, Winnie continued on the family farm with her children. Together with the help of Winnie’s brother, LeRoy Kunst, they worked on the farm raising crops and animals and always had a large vegetable garden with lovely flowers.
Winnie instilled in her children a strong work ethic, strong family ties with extended family, and her love of travel. While they worked hard, they were able to visit family in Idaho, Montana, and Texas. She traveled to many places with her family through the years, but her favorite was always Glacier National Park in Montana where they would visit many times.
After leaving the family farm in 1987, Winnie made her home in Rochester and made many new friends and continued her love to travel. She was able to visit Hawaii, Alaska, and many of the continental U.S., as well as England, Ireland, and Luxembourg. Winnie enjoyed crocheting, crafting projects, playing cards, and genealogy. She was known for her love of gathering family history and has compiled many generations of information. Winnie was very devoted to her children and loved family gatherings and summer family trips to lakes or long road trips. She was a member of Pax Christi Catholic Church, Rochester, where she helped with funeral luncheons.
Winnie is survived by daughters, Nadeane (Steve) Schossow, Vickie (Roger) Gran, Linda (Dale) Haigh, and Michelle Thruman; and son, Bernard (Holly) Philipps; 12 grandchildren, Jeremy (Amy) Schossow, Joel Schossow, Jason (Tracey) Schossow, Jessica (Derek) Gunderson, Philip (Sarah) Gran, Andrew (Miraya) Gran, Angela (Craig) Tauscher, Joshua and Garrett Thruman, Collin, Nicole, and Eric Philipps; 16 great-grandchildren, Spencer, Alexis and Dylan Schossow, Aubrey, Olivia and Daniel Schossow, Connor Gordon, Lauren, Samuel and Sebastian Gunderson, Vivian and Calvin Gran, baby girl, Gran due in 2021, Anna and Sophia Tauscher, and Aren Philipps; sisters-in-law, Ardell Kunst, Jeanette Lelwica, Dorothy Chadbourn, Eleanor Roloff, Catherine (LeRoy) Czaplewski, and Judy Philipps; brother-in-law, George Koenig; and many nieces and nephews.
Winnie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Everett; brothers, LeRoy and Robert Kunst; and sister, Rita Mae Peterson.
The family is grateful to the caring staff at Samaritan Bethany Home over the last few years and Seasons Hospice over the last few weeks.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private, immediate family funeral Mass will be held followed by burial at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wilson, Minn. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials are suggested to Immaculate Conception Cemetery, PO Box 402, Lewiston, MN 55952, Samaritan Bethany Home on 8th, 24 8th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901, or Seasons Hospice, 1696 Greenview Dr. SW, Rochester, MN 55902.
Monroe Tauscher Funeral Home Delavan, WI is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit us at delavanfuneralhome.com.
Menomonie, WIs.
One of many Bridges on the Red Cedar Trail near Menomonie, am abandoned railroad track.
La Crosse, Wis.
Fall sunset from the marsh
La Crosse, Wis.
On fire
Winona, Minn.
Big Lake (west)
La Crescent, MInn.
View from La Crescent Rest Area parking lot
Winona, Minn.
Mississippi River bluff with Winona in background.
LaCanne Park, Goodview, Minn.
LaCanne Park, Rollingstone, Minn.
Woodlawn Cemetery, Winona
On a hike at Great River Bluffs State Park
Scenery at LaCanne Park, Goodview, Minn.
Butterfly trails, La Crosse bluffs
Community Garden, Menomonie
LaCanne Park, Goodview, Minn.
Autumn color in Woodlawn Cemetery, Winona
Fall colors in Windom Park, Winona
Levee Park, Winona
Bike path around Lake Winona
Fall color in Winona
West Winona from Garvin
West Winona from Garvin
Canoes on a peaceful Lake Winona
Glorious Goodview, Winona
Fall colors on Lake Winona
Winona
Winona
Golden valley
Valley Oaks from my picture window.
Miller Bluff trail
Miller Bluff trail is among the extensive community trail system a local group hoping to expand through fundraising.
Jesson Park Lake reflections the glow of golden leaves at sunset. It’s the most colorful time of year. We are asking our readers to show off the fall colors for all to see. Use a form at https://go.lacrossetribune.com/Photos and send photos our way. We’ll put them in galleries that we will share on social media, and we’ll publish some of them in full color in our papers. You can view our fall colors gallery now at winonadailynews.com.
Bluffviewing from the lake
Lake Winona looking into the bluffs.
Vernon County cruising
Cruising the country roads of Vernon County.
Red leaves
The wedding present that keeps on giving!
Fall fun
Sydney enjoying the fall leaves.
View from Irish Hill
The view from our deck on Irish Hill just off Highway 33. We can see all the way to Highway 14 to Coon Valley.
Maple shows off its many hues
A Maple tree near the shore of East Lake Winona displays golden autumn color. It’s the most colorful time of year. We are asking our readers to show off the fall colors for all to see. Use a form at https://go.lacrossetribune.com/Photos and send photos our way. We’ll put them in galleries that we will share on social media, and we’ll publish some of them in full color in our papers. You can view our fall colors gallery now at winonadailynewscom.
Grandad's fall colors
Fall colors on the new trails around Grandad’s Bluff. Show off your fall colors photos for all to see. Use a form at https://go.lacrossetribune.com/Photos and send the photos our way. We’ll put them in online galleries that we share on social media, and we’ll publish some of them in full color in our papers. You can view the gallariers at lacrossetribune.com.
Winona
Winona
Winona
Winona
Winona
Winona
Peak color
A runner makes his way over the State Road overpass Wednesday, passing a maple tree showing peak fall color.
Color in the coulee
Built in the year 1900, the Skogdalen Lutheran Church on Oakdale Avenue in rural Westby stands Thursday among Timber Coulee’s array of fall foliage.
Start of autumn
Trees start to change on Lake Tomah at Winnebago Park.
Swinging into fall
Terry Ziegelbauer hits a tee shot at Forest Hills Golf Course.
A sign of fall
A maple tree in Coon Valley's Veterans Memorial Park starts to reveal its fall color, Saturday, Sept. 5.
