Obit: Hofkes, Eleanor N. #2 (1924 - 2014)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Hofkes, Cannon, Newell, Wilbur, Shoemaker, Hauser, McKitrick, Benson, Frances, Hencley, Zachau, Golden, Herzog, Thornton, Felix

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co, WI) 4/16/2014

Hofkes, Eleanor N. #2 (4 October 1924 - 8 April 2014)

Eleanor N. Hofkes (nee Newell) age 89, of Hopkins, MN, formerly of Boyd, WI, passed away April 8, 2014.

Eleanor was born October 4, 1924, in Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of Michael and Ellen (Cannon) Newell. She grew up in Philadelphia, attending West Catholic Girls High School and Chestnut Hill College. During the war, Eleanor worked for the Securities and Exchange Commission in Philadelphia. Eleanor met Francis E. Hofkes, a US Navy officer assigned to Radar/Sonar Development in Philadelphia. They were united in marriage on April 27, 1946, at St. Rose of Lima Church in Philadelphia. After the war, they settled in Boyd, WI, Francis’ hometown.

Eleanor and Francis had two children, Marie and Angela and cared for eight foster children, including Richard Wilbur and Lawrence, David and Leonard Shoemaker. After completing her BA at the University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire in 1969, Eleanor began a 23-year teaching career at Thorp High School. During this career, Eleanor taught English and was the school librarian, and moderated National Honor Society and Debate. Students nicknamed her “The Silver Fox” for her silver hair and uncanny ability to know what students were doing.

Eleanor was active politically, lobbying for issues in which she believed and campaigning for candidates. Eleanor was also active in the local and state teachers union. Eleanor was very committed to her family, the Catholic faith, and the needs of the poor and dispossessed. She was a member of the St. Elizabeth Society of St. Joseph Parish, Boyd, the Democratic Party and the American Legion Auxiliary. Eleanor enjoyed reading, politics, theater, foreign films, travel, family and friendships.

Eleanor is survived by daughters: Marie (Joseph) Hauser of Minneapolis, MN and Angela (Paul) McKitrick, also of Minneapolis, MN; grandchildren: David (Sindee) Hauser, Antonia Hauser, Theresa (Benson) Benson and Kathleen, John and Claire McKitrick, all of Minneapolis, MN; great-grandchildren: Lukas and Teo Benson; step-grandchildren: Suzanne Frances, Rochelle Hauser, and Joe (Lisa) Hauser and children Kassandra, Carsen and Evan Hauser; and foster children: Richard Wilbur and Lawrence, David and Leonard Shoemaker. Eleanor is also survived by a brother, Michael Newell; sisters: Catherine Newell SSJ and Ann Newell IHM; sisters-and brother-in-law Margaret Newell; Ruth Hofkes, Lois Hofkes, Murcille Hencley and Ruth Zachau; cousins: Kate (James-deceased) Golden and Mary (Joe) Herzog; and many nieces and nephews.

Eleanor was preceded in death by sisters: Marie Newell SSJ and Dorothea Newell SSJ; brothers: James Newell and Rev. Joseph Newell SJ; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Mary Newell, Marion and Jack Thornton, Charles and Lorraine Hofkes, Bernard Hofkes, Eugene Hofkes, Ed Hofkes Jr., Richard Hencley, Charles Zachau, and Jerome Hofkes; parents, Michael and Ellen Newell; and parents-in-law: Edmund and Eleanore Hofkes.

Funeral Services were held on Saturday, April 12, 2014, at 1 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Boyd, with Fr. William Felix officiating. Visitation was from 11 - 1 p.m. at the church on Saturday. Inurnment will take place at a later date in the parish cemetery. Plombon Funeral Service of Stanley is assisting the family.