Eleanore M. Koelsch, age 97, of Athens passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2016 at Applegate Care Terrace. She was born February 26, 1919 to the late Edwin and Elsie (Giese) Sturm in the Town of Maine. Eleanore married Ervin Koelsch on September 24, 1938. He preceded her in death September 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 Ervin and Eleanore moved to Athens to assist their daughter and son-in-law with their business.
Eleanore enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Her favorite past times 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, AZ, and Sue (Wayne) Krueger of Wausau; son: Leroy (Angie Dewitt) Koelsch, Athens; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ervin, three brothers, John, Norman and Rueben, four sisters, Diane, Lavila Schult, Edna Hackbarth and Arline Gumtz, plus son-in-law, Tom Cooley Jr.
The family is honoring their mother’s request for a private family memorial service. 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 is assisting the family with arrangements.