Rose Diana Appel

Rose Diana Appel

May 19, 1934 - April 24, 2025

Our mom, Rose Diane Appel (born Schenkman), daughter of Frieda and Jack Schenkman, passed away on April 24, 2025, culminating nearly 91 years of a life filled with love and adventure. Rose spent her final years in the care of a small, compassionate memory care facility, where she was lovingly supported during her two and a half years of residence. She is survived by her daughter, Wendy Sue Appel; her son, William King Appel; her sister, Jennifer Resnick and a wide circle of extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her daughter, Robin Lynn Appel, and by husbands: Lawrence A. Appel, Samuel Fogelson, Ed Borchers, and her beloved partner, Walter Strauss.

Rose, or as she liked to be called, "Rosie" grew up in New Jersey, attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, majoring in English. It was there that she met her first husband, Lawrence A. Appel. They married in Milwaukee when she was 21 and it was there that they went on to raise three children: Robin, Wendy, and Bill. Robin, her first child, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma as an infant and lived with paralysis, shaped the course of Rosie's life in profound ways. As a young mother, Rosie faced these challenges with fierce love and dedication, which continued to define her strength throughout life.

In 1975, and with no formal training or business background, just grit and determination, Rosie launched a business selling nail cream. Her business venture morphed and grew into a traveling boutique of all manner of crafts and beauty supplies called Crafty Items a thriving wholesale beauty supply business that was featured in a Milwaukee Journal article titled, "Crafty Nomad Circuits Wisconsin." In 1984 she sold her business and moved to California where she spent the remainder of her life.

Rosie was a loyal and devoted mother and friend who had a natural gift for connecting with others and championed those she felt were vulnerable or in need. Our mom was as courageous and tenacious as she was humble and loving. She was an intrepid explorer of places and people; ever curious to learn more about a local community, someone new, or those she didn't know well enough. Rosie was an avid moviegoer, museum enthusiast, hiker, skier, golfer. She traveled the world from Europe to Siberia, to the Middle East and Asia, and beyond.

Her love for beauty was apparent by the way she dressed, decorated her home, and tended her garden. Rosie's heart could be touched by a poem, a bird lighting on her porch, or a little girl walking with her mom hand in hand. People would notice her eclectic taste by Rosie's appreciation of many different genres of music and art. And boy did she love to dance!

Mom always said, "you can never keep a good woman down." And no one ever could ... until the Fall of 2022 when her life turned upside down. Rosie suffered a stroke, and subsequently her mental and physical capacities steadily declined due to dementia and a weakened heart. She navigated it all with grace and appreciation for the life she was gifted. And, in the process her true essence emerged-her gentle sweetness, inner beauty, and strength. Some of the memories we will always treasure are being with her in loving silence, simply holding hands, and sharing our hearts with each other.

And, in the end, our mom's body gave way. But never her heart - the one that survives us all. Our mom's heart is forever and deeply embedded into ours. We are forever grateful for the unconditional love and support our mom gave us every step of the way, no matter the travails. We grieve the loss of our mother, but our hearts are filled with the beautiful and soulful memories of her life and our time with her.

We bless you mom. Your love will be with us forever.