Obit: Koelsch, Eleanore M. (1919 - 2016)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Cooley, Finney, Giese, Gumtz, Hackbarth, Koelsch, Krueger, Schult, Steidinger, Sturm

----Source: The Record - Review (Abbotsford, WI) 1/20/2017

Koelsch, Eleanore M. (Sturm) (26 FEB 1919 - 11 DEC 2016)

Eleanore M. Koelsch, age 97, of Athens passed away on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, at Applegate Care Terrace.

She was born Feb. 26, 1919, to the late Edwin and Elsie (Giese) Sturm in the Town of Maine. Eleanore married Ervin Koelsch on Sept. 24, 1938. He preceded her in death Sept. 27, 2001. They worked side by side managing the family farm in the town of Corning.

Eleanore helped to supplement the farm income by working at Fromm Brother’s, the Oconomowoc cannery and the local cranberry marsh. In 1979, when Ervin and Eleanore retired, they moved to Athens. To occupy their time, they helped their daughter and son-in-law in their convenience store.

Eleanore enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Her favorite pastimes were reading and playing Solitaire. She became very competitive at playing her favorite game of Sequence. While at Applegate, she looked forward to playing and winning at bingo and spent time doing large print word-finds.

Eleanore loved to help with the Color Vision Advertising Company and the monthly church bulletin. She outlived her whole family and was the last of her surviving relatives. Eleanore was a member of St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ in Merrill and attended church services faithfully while at Applegate.

Eleanore is survived by her daughters, Carol (Arnie) Steidinger of Weston, Dinah (Dave) Finney of Surprise, Ariz., and Sue (Wayne) Krueger of Wausau; son, Leroy (Angie Dewitt) Koelsch, Athens; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ervin; three brothers, John, Norman and Rueben; four sisters, Diane, Lavila Schult, Edna Hackbarth and Arline Gumtz; plus a son-in-law, Tom Cooley Jr.

The family is honoring their mother’s request for a private family memorial service with Rev. Missy Holdorf presiding. Guests may sign a family guestbook at www.waidfuneral.com

The family wishes to extend a sincere “thank you“ to the staff at Applegate Care Terrace and Asera Care Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Eleanore and her family. Special loving thanks to Megan and Kayln from Asera Care.

Waid Funeral Home of Merrill assisted the family with arrangements.