Eleanor Ruth Lindahl

Born Sept. 22, 1924, in Brown City, Mich., to Samuel and Ada (Somerville) Kalbfleisch, Eleanor graduated from Brown City High School in 1942 and from Central Michigan University in 1947. She married Curtis Lindahl, her college sweetheart, on June 28, 1947, and moved to his hometown, Iron River, where they shared life for 65 years before his passing in 2012. She taught school in Amasa, Alpha, and then Forest Park, retiring in 1986.

Eleanor and Curtis enjoyed their early retirement years traveling with Mobile Missionary Assistance Program, volunteering at churches, orphanages, and Bible camps in Mexico, Canada and the US. Later they spent winters in Vero Beach, Fla., regularly helping out at Life for Youth Camp. Upon his death, she continued to spend summers in Iron River, enjoying her love of golf into her nineties at Iron River Country Club, and learning bridge and bocce with friends. Winters she could be found in Lower Michigan, North Carolina or Florida with one of her daughters.

Eleanor was an active member of Grace Covenant Church, where she was a pianist, organist, choir member and leader/participant in women’s ministry. She was also a Gideon Auxiliary member. During many Community Vacation Bible School weeks, she could be found in the kitchen, using her gift of food presentation. When requested, she was always willing to make her beautiful fruit punch ring.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and her sisters, Marie (George) McKay, Winnie DuPerow and Phyllis (Glenford) Palmateer; brothers-in-law, Elder (Muriel) Lindahl and Chuck Isaacson; sister-in-law, Carol (Berwyn) Jackson; foster daughter, Tera Trudell; special nephew, Leland Jackson; and special cousin, Linda Hillabrant.

She is survived by her children, Gail Baker, Mark (Carolyn) Lindahl, Lyn Lindahl and Dean (Noomie) Lindahl; grandchildren, Sarah Baker, Betsy (John) Watkins, Ben Baker, Katie (Jamie Milton) Lindahl, Matt (Beth) Lindahl, Tim (Katie Jo) Lindahl, Jordan (Bethany) Lindahl, Stefan (Brittany) Lindahl and Daniel Lindahl; great-grandchildren, Christian and Ruby Watkins, Harper and Isaiah Lindahl Milton, Bailey and Carson Lindahl, Paarker Lindahl, Kiara and William Lindahl; sister-in-law: Ruby Isaacson; brother-in-law: David (Betty) Lindahl.

Memorials may be made to Grace Covenant Church or The Gideons International.

A Celebration of Life will be held this summer.