Eleanor Kimmerle

Eleanor R. “Ellie” Kimmerle RACINE – Eleanor R. “Ellie” Kimmerle, 88, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, September 25, 2011 at Clare Bridge in Kenosha, with her loving daughter and son-in-law by her side. Eleanor was born on May 4, 1923 to the late Max and Jennie (nee: Strothmann) Steuer in Racine, WI. She grew up in Racine and graduated from Washington Park High School in June of 1941. Eleanor loved high school and was actively involved in German Club, Choristers, Commercial Honor Club and the National Honor Society. Upon graduation she worked as a secretary for the Racine branch of the J.I. Case Company. Eleanor was united in marriage to Frederick J. “Buddy” Kimmerle of Philadelphia, PA on January 12, 1946 at Atonement Lutheran Church. They were actively involved at Grace Baptist Church, where she served as the church secretary and sang in the choir. In the mid-1950’s they and their family moved to Culver City, California, where she loved being a homemaker and also working as a school secretary. Eleanor was an active member of the West Culver City Baptist Church, and it was a joy to her to serve the Lord there as a choir member and deaconess. She loved to sing, sew, knit, read, garden and, above all, spend time with her family and friends. Eleanor and her husband were very generous in helping others, giving freely of their time and resources. After many years in California, they returned to Racine in 2003, due to health concerns. Eleanor was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother and will be dearly missed. Eleanor is survived by her children, Joanie (Frank) Forsyth of Racine, and Danny (Marianne) Kimmerle of Canyon Country, CA; three grandchildren, Jenny (Carl) Long of Danville, IL, and Tommy and Rachel Kimmerle of Canyon Country, CA; and three great-grandchildren, Timmy, Katie, and Joshua Long of Danville, IL. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends in Racine and California. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Frederick, her grandson, Timothy Forsyth, her sister, Lorraine, and her brother, Kenny. A memorial service in honor of Eleanor will be held at Calvary Memorial Church, 4001 Washington Ave., Racine on Monday, October 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Nathan James and Rev. Richard Ferrell officiating. Visitation with the family will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. She will be laid to rest at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, WI. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Eleanor in a special way may make a memorial gift to Odyssey Hospice, 197 W. Chestnut St., Burlington, WI 53105. The family extends a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff at Clare Bridge and to her Odyssey Hospice team for the loving, compassionate and excellent care they all gave to Eleanor.

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Eleanor Kimmerle

May 4, 1923 - September 25, 2011