OBITUARY: Eleanor Margaret Ehl

Eleanor Margaret Ehl (nee Bernecker) died Aug. 24, 2018 at Good Samaritan Scandia Village in Sister Bay. She was born on Jan. 25, 1918 in Chicago, IL, the youngest of five children to Peter and Anna (Rippel) Bernecker. She graduated from Lake View High School in 1935.

She married Rudolph Ehl in Chicago on May 10,1941. There they raised six children together in 60 years of marriage. She was a stay at home mom until her youngest was 10, when she ventured out into the working world again, finding her place in the office of Jacobs Boilers in Chicago. The Jacobs brothers adopted her into their family and she spent many happy years in their employ. Upon retirement, she & Rudy moved to Stuart, FL, where they made many friends, young and old, until Rudy’s health began to fail. In 1998 they moved to Sister Bay, WI to be close to their daughter and family. Elli happily resided at Scandia Village for 20 years where she was blessed with many new friends. Upon Rudy’s death in 2001, Elli became an active volunteer in the Meadows, endearing herself to residents and staff alike. It was a very happy time in her life.

Elli loved her family and friends. She was a really kind, fun person, who for 100 years lived life to the fullest. She was also very private, and fiercely independent. She made friends wherever she went. Elli kept up with world events, enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles until her eyesight failed, then she switched to audio books and kept on “reading”. She loved music of all sorts, and in recent years developed a passion for Il Volo (her “boys”). You could always hear their beautiful voices streaming out into the hallway. She loved watching all sports, but especially her beloved Chicago Cubs, who finally allowed her to witness a World Series win in her lifetime. Elli was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers Andy, Peter and infant Edward, sister

Ann, and infant grandson John. She is survived by her children, James (Marylan) of Kettle Falls, WA; Barbara (John) Salvato of Harwood Heights, Illinois; Thomas (Nereida), of Land o’ Lakes, Florida; Deborah of Elgin, Illinois; Pamela (Greg) Thoma of Sister Bay, Wisconsin and David of Chicago, Illinois. She was the proud grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of 14, and loving aunt to many, especially Mike and Rob.

We wish to extend sincere gratitude to the loving staff, past and present, at Scand, for their genuine friendship and for having so much fun with her for the past 20 years.

Thank you also to Unity Hospice, for their brief but compassionate care of Elli; Father Dave, Barb and Becky from Stella Maris, for their loving friendship and spiritual support over the years. Thank you Jamie K. for your special companionship.

A Memorial Service will be held at Scand at a date yet to be determined. Memorials may be given in Elli’s name to Woodview Assisted Living at Scandia Village, 10560 Applewood Rd., Sister Bay, Wisconsin 54234.