Harmony, Minn.
Eunice Elinor Applen, age 89, passed away peacefully on January 7, 2021 at Gundersen Harmony Care Center in Harmony, MN.
Eunice was born March 14, 1931 in Lanesboro, MN to Martin and Alma (Brekke) Eithun. She graduated from Lanesboro High School in 1951. Eunice married Neil Roger Applen on September 13, 1952 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lanesboro. After their marriage, Eunice and Neil lived in Harmony. Neil was a salesman with Bear Manufacturing until the company was sold, so he was on the road much of the time, which left Eunice with the job of raising their four children. We were lucky to have a mother that was able to stay at home with us. Not sure how lucky she felt! After the children left the nest, Eunice worked at Pete’s Café, the Cardinal’s Roost and Norsland Lefse. When Neil retired, they both helped out their son David at the Windy Mesa, in Harmony and Lanesboro. Eunice and Neil moved to Lanesboro, where they lived at Sylvan Manor for many years, until Neil’s death in 2006. In 2016 Eunice moved back to Harmony, where she lived at the Clara House until it was time to move to the care center in 2018.
Eunice is survived by her children, Greg (Cathy) Applen of Surprise, AZ; David (Laurie) Applen of Lanesboro, MN; Mark Applen of Austin, MN and Karen Applen of Lanesboro, MN; A sister, Janet (James) Bremseth, of Ramsey, MN; and brother-in-law Sidney Blagsvedt of Sacred Heart, MN. Neil and Eunice also had 9 grandchildren, Shawna (Scott) DeMar; Christopher (Kim) Applen; Daniel (Claire) Applen; Jasmin Applen; Wyatt Applen; Joshua Applen; Nathan (Stacy) Applen; Nicholas Applen and Hannah Applen; and 8 great-grandchildren. Also considered part of our family, Debbie Klaehn.
She was preceded in death by her husband Neil, her parents, brother, Merton Eithun, sisters Dorothy (Sidney) Blagsvedt and Shirley (Kenneth) Wangen; and a daughter-in-law Julie (Mark) Griem-Applen.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Greenfield Lutheran Church in Harmony, at a later date when the family can all be together safely. Inurnment will be at Greenfield Lutheran Cemetery in Harmony. To share a memory, please visit lindstromfuneralhomes.com
Lindstrom Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
