Eleanor H. Ballwanz

Our mom, Eleanor H. Ballwanz, 102 ½ years old, left this world on Saturday, April 1, 2017, where her Lord and Savior finished her room in heaven where there are many memories.It is a time to mourn, but then to rejoice, knowing she is now happy and at peace in her “new room” in her Heavenly Home.She was born on September 23, 1914, in Merrill, Wisconsin, a daughter of Charles and Mabel Richards Klein. Her parents and siblings moved to Fond du Lac where she attended Fond du Lac schools, later they moved to a farm in the Town of Lamartine, where she attended Lincoln State Grade School, where many years later her four kids would attend.Mom met our dad, Erwin, in 1928, when they were attendants for her stepsister and dad’s brother’s wedding. They fell in love and married on October 27, 1934, in Waukegan, Illinois, settling in Fond du Lac until 1949, and then moving to a small farm in the Town of Lamartine.Eleanor was a devoted Christian, and read the Bible daily, until her eyesight became problematic. Mom and dad made sure their children were baptized, confirmed, and attended Sunday school on a regular basis at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church, with three of her children being wed there.She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, being on call for lots of babysitting. She was a wonderful homemaker and stay at home mom. She was a great cook and was especially good at baking from scratch. Her small hands could knead the bread dough like a pro.She is survived by four children: Ron (Diane) Ballwanz, Jan Larson, Paul Ballwanz, and Les (Karen) Ballwanz, ten grandchildren and step-grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Erwin; a son-in-law, Allan Larson; 11 brothers and sisters, and their spouses; an infant sister; nieces and nephews, her father and mother-in-law; and other family and friends.VISITATION: A visitation to celebrate Eleanor’s life will be from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017, at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church, 20 Wisconsin American Drive, Fond du Lac.SERVICE: The funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at Immanuel-Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Sue Sheffer-Meyer officiating.Private family entombment, where mom will join dad, will be at Shrine of Rest Mausoleum in Ledgeview Memorial Park.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.Special thanks to the wonderful people of Agnesian Hospice Hope for their amazing help in taking care of mom’s needs. Also, to our brother, Ron, and his wife, Diane, who opened their home for mom, for exactly three years, when her health, at age 99, was deteriorating. It was very much appreciated by the rest of the family. And also to Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel for their kindness.

Eleanor H. Ballwanz

September 23, 1914 - April 1, 2017