Eleanor E. Peterson

Eleanor Peterson, 86, of Merrill, passed away peacefully at Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, on Tuesday, November 8, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. Eleanor Elizabeth Plante Peterson was born November 5, 1930, in Marinette, Wisconsin, the only child of the late Edward and Othelia (Rick) Plante. She married the love her life, Melvin Peterson, on September 24, 1949, in Marinette. She is survived by her sons, Jeffrey (Barbara) Peterson of Merrill, and Dan (Arlove) Peterson of Marshfield; and daughter, Mary Beth (Jeff) Kleinschmidt of Merrill. Eleanor cherished her grandchildren, Jessica (David) Lind, Eric (Angela) Peterson, Krysta Peterson, Adam (Heidi) Kleinschmidt, and Nick (Jessica Gonzalez Espinosa) Kleinschmidt; and great grandchildren Jack, Elizabeth, Emmalynn, Conner, Kira, and Bianca. Besides her parents, Eleanor is preceded in death by her husband Mel and infant granddaughter, Melissa Kleinschmidt. Eleanor and Mel moved to Merrill in 1958. In the 1960’s Eleanor worked at Lincoln County Bank. She and Mel owned Mel’s Big Dollar supermarket from 1969 – 1980. After that she was employed at Church Mutual Insurance Company until her retirement. Eleanor was a kind and compassionate person who took pride in her work and genuinely enjoyed people. She enjoyed bridge with her friends, lunch with the girls, Friday fish fry’s with old fashioneds, trips to Las Vegas, and all Wisconsin sports teams, especially the Green Bay Packers. But most of all, Eleanor loved her family, often hosting large holiday meals that she lovingly prepared. We will sorely miss her cheerful smile, big hugs, and unconditional love. In recent years, she was challenged with heart and respiratory ailments and Alzheimer’s. The family would like to thank long time family physician, Dr. Donald Evans, the entire caring staff at Bell Tower Residence, and Ministry Hospice. The funeral will be at 1:00 P.M. Saturday, November 12, 2016, at Our Saviours Lutheran Church, Merrill. The Rev. Missy Holdorf will officiate. Burial will follow in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the church. The Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, is assisting the family. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com. The family suggests that memorials be directed to Bell Tower Residence, Merrill, or the ‘Cure Alzheimer’s Fund’.