Eleanor Lester
June 04, 1917 - February 04, 2015
Obituary
Lester, Eleanor
MADISON– Eleanor Lester, age 97, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015. She was born on June 4, 1917 in Frazee, Minn., the daughter of Theodore and Anna (Mueller) Zitzow. Eleanor was the eldest of five children. She graduated from Winona State College in Winona, Minn., where she met and then married Dick Lester on June 21, 1939, in Winona. For over 27 years, Eleanor taught elementary education in two Lutheran schools in Madison; Eastside Lutheran and Madison Lutheran School. For all of her life in Madison, Eleanor was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Her faith and her family were very important to her. Eleanor’s husband, Dick passed away in 1990. Eleanor is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Roger) Hron of Reedsburg; two grandsons, Todd Sailor of Fitchburg and Kurt Sailor of Paris, France; her sister, Elaine Unrue of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Arlene Barnes; and brothers, Harold Zitzow and Clarence Zitzow. A funeral service will be held at HOLY CROSS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 2670 Milwaukee Street, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, 2015, with the Rev. Mark Bartels presiding. A visitation will be held at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Lutheran Church. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Mon Feb 9, 2015 @ 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM CDT
Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Madison) • 734 Holy Cross Way, Madison, WI 53714
Service
Mon Feb 9, 2015 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Holy Cross Lutheran Church (Madison) • 734 Holy Cross Way, Madison, WI 53714
Photos
No photos of Eleanor have been shared yet.
Memories
MH
Michelle (Zitzow) Heins
Other •
When I think of my dear aunt Eleanor I think back to my childhood and how excited I was when we were expecting a visit from Dick and Eleanor. I loved seeing them and the strong loving hugs she gave. I so enjoyed listening to all of the stories she told of her teaching and her students. She was quite a character and to a young girl she almost seemed larger than life. I wish we had been able to spend more time together, I know she could have taught me so many things. Eventhough our visits were too short and too long in between I always held a special place for her in my heart. She can now be with her beloved Dick again which is comforting.
PH
Pam Zitzow Hahn
Other •
As hard as it is to say good-bye I know that this dear woman loved the Lord and is now with Him in her heavenly home. I have only a few memories because of distance but everyone is good, as a child growing up I remember my dear aunt Eleanor coming to visit with her husband Dick. She always made a big impression on me with her kind smile and tight hugs, her black hair & something about her voice was so genuine ....I always felt special and loved by her even though I rarely had the pleasure of her company. I also remember her driving a Dodge dart and when I was able to drive that is the kind of car I wanted too... She always dressed so nicely and had her fingernails painted so nice. She just had a way about her that made you feel important and loved. When I received yet another birthday card from her not too many years back I began to think just how wonderful it was that she remembered me every year for so many years . So finally I sent her a little tiny gift and a way over- due thank you note. I never once heard my dad say anything bad about his sister," she was a gem" how could you not just love her to pieces !! I also know just how much her letters and phone calls to my mom through all of the years meant, especially when dealing with my dads illness. Looking back I only wish I could have spent more time in her presence and gotten to know her even better. She was my aunt Eleanor & I loved her dearly !
KF
Kris Freundlich
Other •
I had the opportunity to meet Eleanor and her two fine grandsons through her daughter Sharon Hron. Eleanor lived a very long and full life. She had a fine church community and a fine school community where she deeply and unconditionally loved her students. Eleanor had a finest daughter that anyone has ever had, who provided decades of gentle care and compassionate support to her. Eleanor was truly blessed.
Kris Freundlich
KV
Kathy Voeck Venden
Other •
Sharon, I always enjoyed your mother while being at Madison Lutheran School. I'm so sorry for your loss but rejoice in the knowledge that she loved God and will be in His peace and love from here on. May He help you through this hard time and bless you with wonderful memories. Sincerely, Kathy Voeck Venden rkvenden@yahoo.com
MD
Mara Demien
Other •
I believe a was a member of her last 5th grade class at Eastside Lutheran. She was tough, but fair. She had high expectations of each student and while some of us grumbled about it at the time, I admired her for it even then and do so especially now, as an adult, with my own children in school. She never played favorites, or if she did, you never know it, whereas I know almost every other teacher did there (or that's how I saw it anyway).
She had a picture of "Jesus in the Temple" that I fondly remember and when I saw a copy for sale when I was in my mid-20s, I purchased it and have it in my living room today. It reminds me of her.
I too will never forget the jet black hair and Dodge Dart. :-)
I wish I could attend the services and meet her family in person. She was a very special teacher.
SZ
Sherry Zimmerman
Other •
Mrs. Lester was one of those teachers to remember as when someone asks you your favorite teacher, I bet she is listed by a lot of her students. She was the favorite teacher of my son, Douglas Zimmerman.. She always watched out for him because of him being diabetic and was very caring. We were unable to attend the service but give deepest sympathy to her family.
God's Blessings,
Gary, Sherry, Douglas, and Rebecca Zimmerman