Eleanor Bender Harpenau, 90, of Chrisney, passed away on Friday, January 15, 2021.
Eleanor was born in Siberia, on October 4, 1930 to Werner and Ella (Denu) Bender, the seventh of 14 children.
She married Donald Harpenau on April 27, 1950, and moved to their farm in Chrisney where they lived for 70 years. To this union, eight children were born.
Eleanor was a loving wife, devoted mother, and a faithful member of St. Martin’s Catholic Church and the Brute Society.
Preceding her in death were her parents and siblings, brothers Urban, Edward, Richard, Aloysius, Louis, Joe and Larry; sisters Irene Egloff and Alvina Flynn; son-in-law, Eric Ayer.
Surviving are her husband, Donald and children, Donna Ayer of Rockport, Michael (Petite) Harpenau of Marietta, GA, Debbie (Ken) Ringeman of Kernersville, NC, Sandy (Terry) Brockman of Ferdinand, Lisa (Mike) Daniel of Newburgh, Ann (David) Rogier of Ferdinand, Betty (John) Dilger of Garwin, IA, and Christi (Michael) McCarthy of Crofton, MD; 22 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren; brothers, Werner Jr., John and David; sister Ann Voges; and sisters-in-law, Norma Blackgrave, Pat Bender, Betty Bender, Doris Werne, Blanche Lavin and Jeannette Gill.
A special thank you to Woodmont Health Campus and Heart to Heart Hospice for their excellent care and concern for Eleanor over the past few years.
Burial will be in St. Martin’s Cemetery CR 900 N., in Chrisney, at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 19. Friends and family are welcome, with COVID precautions taken.
Boultinghouse Funeral Home in Rockport, has been entrusted with care.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Martin’s Cemetery Trust Fund or The Alzheimer’s Association. Friends unable to attend may send a condolence to the family at www.BoultinghouseFuneralHome.com.
