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- Ann Schwaller, age 65, of Appleton, died peacefully at Appleton Medical Center on Wendesday, May 21, 2014. Ann was born in Appleton on August 30, 1948 to Delmar and the late Rosalia (Nilles) Schwaller, and has been a resident of Appleton her entire life. She worked for Goodwill Industries as a typist for many years.
Ann was born with cerebral palsy and saw the world from a different perspective. She never felt sorry for herself and wanted to help others. Her smile and her eyes were her greatest communication tools. She learned to use a power chair at Courage Center in Golden Valley, MN at age 30 (and was still learning at age 65) and that skill opened many new doors for her. It was the first time she could move independently and she most certainly did. She worked with Janie at Cerebral Palsy, Incorporated, in Green Bay to learn to use a computer to communicate, email and entertain herself.
Ann participated in many events sponsored by The United Cerebral Palsy of Winnebagoland. She participated in Special Olympics and proudly received a gold medal for bowling and a bronze medal for wheelchair racing.
Ann did not let her CP slow down her volunteer efforts. She truly appreciated all the help she's had over the years and had a very strong desire to help give back and help other people with disabilities. Her motorized wheelchair could be seen tooling around northeast Appleton every year for 14 years raising over $30,000 in donations for the Human Race. The money she raised in this event went to Easter Seals to help individuals in Outagamie County in need of disability-related equipment.
Ann has attended Camp Wawbeek for the last 55 years and participated in the Trout Unlimited Fishing Outing for people with Disabilities - an event which was begun by her father - for the past 36 years. Last year, Ann had the time of her life as 50 of her friends and relatives had a surprise 65th birthday party for her. She was also as big a Packer fan as you'd ever meet and a member at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
She will be missed by her father, Delmar (stepmother , Helen), Winneconne; two sisters: Sue (Dave) Mullen, Little Chute and Mary (Tom) Edwards, Chandler, AZ; four brothers: James (Germaine) Schwaller, Keshena, Joseph Schwaller (LuAnn), Tempe, AZ, Pete (Jean) Schwaller, Appleton, and Tony (Richelle)Schwaller, Houghton, MI; she is further survived by many nieces, nephews and special friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Rosalia.
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 am on Tuesday, May 27, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 1810 N. Mc Donald St., Appleton, with Father Gerald Falk officiating and Father Robert Vandenberg concelebrating. Friends may visit directly at the church on Tuesday from 9 am until the time of service. Interment will take place at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Appleton. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Appleton Health Care Center, the doctors, nurses, and staff at Appleton Medical Center, Easter Seals, The United Cerebral Palsy, Cerebral Palsy, Incorporated, and Camp Wawbeek for the kindness, care, and concern shown to Ann.
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1948 - 2014 (65 years)
