Cover photo for Eleanor Rowenhorst's Obituary
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1926 Eleanor 2016

Eleanor Rowenhorst

October 10, 1926 — April 17, 2016

Eleanor Rowenhorst, age 89, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, April 17, at Sanford Sheldon Care Center in Sheldon. A private burial service will be held on June 11th. An open house Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 11th, 2016 at the Sheldon Country Club from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eleanor Dea Rowenhorst, the daughter of John and Charlotte (Hansen) Walter was born October 10, 1926, in Sheldon, Iowa. She passed away on April 17, 2016 at the age of 89, at the Sanford Senior Care Center in Sheldon. Eleanor was a lifelong resident of Sheldon, graduating from Sheldon High School. She attended Morningside college for two years and during that time fell in love with Norbert Rowenhorst. They were married on December 8, 1946 and to their union six children were born. She gave her heart and soul to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, loving them generously. She also became a mom to many of their friends. Eleanor was active in the community and a member of the United Methodist Church. She was selfless and lived out her strong faith through her many kindnesses and compassion for taking care of others. This was evident through the joy she found in volunteering with hospice after retiring from Village Northwest Unlimited. A fascination with maps, love of travel and curiosity took her down many roads less traveled. Eleanor enjoyed sewing, knitting, dancing, music, camping, watching football, playing bridge and meeting people. Much to her children's embarrassment, total strangers would know their life stories within minutes of meeting her. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Norbert, infant daughter, Cindy, parents John and Charlotte Walter, sister Charlotte Morris, brother-in-law Jim Morris, nephew John Morris, one grandson and one great grandson, and the last love of her life, Travis Potter. Those left to celebrate her love and life include her children: Doug & Brenda, daughter Liz and granddaughter, Sophie of Scottsdale, Arizona; Julie & Ken Cook, son Chris, his children Rylee and Bella, daughter Ciji, (Bud), children Gavin, Evin and Laela all of Des Moines, Iowa; Sue & Joe Skow, of Spencer, Iowa, son Nate,(Stacy), children Ben, McKenna and Kalee of Marengo, Illinois, daughter Jessica, (Brian), children Kobe and Lexus of Ankeny, Iowa; Steve & Charlene, of Rocky Face, Georgia, daughter Christa (Will), granddaughter Savannah, son Clayton, grandson Landon, all of Dalton, Georgia, daughter Dakota of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Nancy & Bryan Den Hartog, of Urbandale, Iowa, son Jordan, (Allison), daughter Charlotte of Des Moines, Iowa, son Addison of Encinitas, California and son Taylor,(Hayley) of Iowa City, Iowa. Brother Louis and wife Bonnie Walter of San Antonio, Texas, nieces, nephews and friends. An open house Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 11th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Sheldon Country Club. A memorial has been established for the Sanford Senior Care Center.



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