Eleanor Schwanke

Eleanor Schwanke, age 83, of Willmar, died Friday afternoon, September 22, at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, September 29, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar. Interment will be at Cloverleaf Memorial Park in Willmar. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday, September 28, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Eleanor Adeline Schwanke was born December 3, 1933, in Renville, Minnesota, the daughter of John and Bertha (Standfuss) Schmidt. She grew up and received her education in the Renville area. On November 17, 1957, she married Eldin "Bud" Schwanke and they made their home in Sacred Heart. Eleanor worked at the Granite Falls Hospital and Sacred Heart Manufacturing. They later moved to Willmar and then to Diamond Lake. After Bud's death in 1986, Eleanor moved back into Willmar. She most recently lived at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

Eleanor was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Willmar. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary in Willmar and was active with the Cooties group. She enjoyed gardening, embroidery, and attending flea markets and craft shows with her daughter, Linda. She also enjoyed camping with the camping group, driving her dogs around in her motorhome, and shopping, especially at Wal-Mart or on QVC.

She is survived by three daughters, Linda (and Rick) Birch of Benson, Deb (and Bryan) Grannes of Sacred Heart, and Karen (and Tom) Jacobs of New London; four grandchildren, Bradley Birch, Vincent Birch, Zach (and Ashley) Schultz, and Carly Jacobs; four step-grandchildren, Ricky Jr. (and Nicole) Birch, Corey (and Josie) Birch, Heather (and Josh) Brede, and Brandon Grannes; a great-grandson, Colsten Schultz; and four step-great-grandchildren, Abby Brede, Isaac Brede, Vanessa Birch, and Victoria Birch; two sisters-in-law, Agnes Schwanke and Carol (and Norman) Schueler; a nephew and several nieces; and other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Eldin "Bud" Schwanke; two brothers, Harold Schmidt and Dennis Schmidt; an infant sister; brother-in-law, Virgil Schwanke; and four nephews, Michael Schmidt, Teddy Schmidt, David Schmidt and Michael Schwanke.

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