Eileen D. Larkee (nee Short), 78, of Hartford, Wis., was called to her heavenly home Tuesday, March 11, 2014.
Eileen was born Feb. 1, 1936, in Ontario to Dennis and Edith (nee Arndt) Short. She was baptized Jan. 6, 1937. Eileen was raised by her aunt and uncle, Esther and Elmer Brandau. She married Thomas Owens on June 5, 1954, in Ontario, and he passed away Jan. 18, 1991. Eileen then married Jim Larkee in 2000 in Greenfield, Wis.
Eileen graduated from Wilton High School with the class of 1954 and later obtained her LPN. She was a very faithful wife and mother. She was an active member of Peace Lutheran Church, serving as a greeter and care-center attendant and providing funeral meals support. She also served on the OWLS Board of Directors and faithfully supported her husband in numerous projects. Eileen loved singing, having sung with the Lutheran Church Radio Choir and multiple church choirs. Eileen also loved gardening.
Eileen is survived by her beloved husband, Jim; her brothers, William (Betty) and Ivan (Julika); her children, Jeff, Vickie, Scott and Todd (Judy) Owens; her stepchildren, Daniel (Marisue) and Lisa (Randal) Kanitz; 10 grandchildren, Jaime (Paul), Jeremy, Tom, Tyler, Amy, Kara (Andy), Daniel (Melissa), Brenda, David (Tammy), and Daniel (Monica); 11 great-grandchildren, Micah, Ava, Audra, Allison, Alexis, Haley, Lue, Loralye, Clayton, Emma and Evan; three step-grandchildren, Sadie, Sandra and Nathaniel; one step-great-grandchild, Callen; and her 99-year-old mother-in-law, Lillian. She is further survived by other relatives and friends.
Eileen was preceded in death by her father in 1959; her uncle Elmer in 1960; her sister Margaret in 1971; her aunt Esther in 1988; and her brother Erv and her mother in 2008.
The funeral services for Eileen were Friday, March 14, at Peace Lutheran Church, 1001 Center St., Hartford, Wis., with Rev. Paul Waldschmidt officiating.
Her final resting place is in Oakwood Cemetery in Weyauwega, Wis., where her temporal body waits to join that of her husband.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Peace Lutheran Church Capital Improvement Fund are encouraged.
The Shimon Funeral Home is assisting the family.
