Eleanor Harrenga

Estelline, South Dakota

Funeral Service

11:00 A.M., Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Hamlin Reformed Church

Rural Castlewood, South Dakota

Rev. Carl Van Voorst, Officiating

Visitation

One hour preceding services at the church on Tuesday.

Interment

Black Hills National Cemetery

Sturgis, South Dakota

Eleanor (DeWall) Harrenga, daughter of Alek and Arianna (Ludwig) DeWall, was born April 30, 1928, near Dempster, South Dakota, the youngest of six children. She attended rural school and also attended Castlewood High School for two years. Eleanor graduated from Pleasant Prairie Academy in German Valley, Illinois. She received her teaching certificate from General Beadle College in Madison, South Dakota and taught for one year in Garretson, South Dakota. After her marriage to John Harrenga on June 10, 1949, she taught for two years in a rural school west of Estelline. They lived in Dempster until 1951 when they moved to a farm on the edge of Estelline and farmed there. John died on January 28, 1971, and Eleanor stayed on the farm for two years before moving to Sioux Falls in 1973. She was employed at McKennan Hospital until retiring in 1994 when she returned to Estelline. Eleanor entered the Estelline Nursing and Care Center in January of 2000 and died there on Saturday, January 3, 2009, at the age of 80 years, 8 months and 3 days.

She was a member of Hamlin Reformed Church, the American Legion Auxiliary, the PTA where she served as president and was also a cub scout leader. Eleanor was active in the community where she did volunteer work, helped with Meals On Wheels, read at the nursing home, and was a high school mentor. She also enjoyed reading.

Grateful for having shared her life are two sons, Robert Harrenga of Estelline, James Harrenga of Sioux Falls; one daughter, Mary Ellen Black of Castlewood; five grandchildren, Kelly Nebel of Tempe, AZ, John Harrenga of Sioux Falls, Valerie Chicoine of Onida, SD, Jill Harrenga of Charlotte, NC, Bret Harrenga of Williamston, NC; three great grandchildren, Caleb, Calleigh and Addison; two sisters, Anna Janssen of Estelline and Dena Rosenbohm of Eden Prairie, MN; numerous beloved nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Lloyd and Lester DeWall; and one sister, Jane Jongeling.