Eleanor Carlson, 93, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord  January 4, 2018 at Good Samaritan Village in Sioux Falls, surrounded by loved ones.   She was born in a farmhouse in Lincoln County September 6, 1924 to Axel and Ruth Swanstrom.  She was the oldest of 4 children.  Eleanor enjoyed a typical rural childhood with school and church as the only social activities.  Her summers were spent helping with the garden and doing chores.  She enjoyed outdoor activities, and recounted how she loved to lie on the grass and watch the clouds.

Eleanor attended the Northstar County School and really did walk 1 ¾ miles to school each day.   She was recognized for her excellent Palmer Method Penmanship skills which she kept for her entire life.

Eleanor attended 2 years at Augustana College in Sioux Falls and earned a degree in elementary education.  She then taught 3rd grade for 5 years in Canton.  While teaching she was introduced to a handsome gentleman by the name of Gordon Carlson.  After a yearlong engagement, Gordon and Eleanor were married December 30, 1948, at the Brooklyn Evangelical Church in Beresford.

Eleanor and Gordon shared the travel bug, starting with their honeymoon trip which lasted about 3 weeks due to a winter blizzard which stranded them for a week in Cheyenne, WY on their way to California.  Their traveling was delayed as they raised a family of 6 children, instilling in them a deep faith and love for Jesus, the expectation to earn good grades, to be individuals of integrity, and show compassion for others.  When Eleanor and Gordon did not want the children to know what was being said they would speak to each other in Swedish.

Eleanor was very active in the PTA while her children were in school.   She was a valued member of the Women's Missionary Society at church, serving as Chairperson for many years.

Eleanor will be remembered for the millions of cookies, at least 20 varieties at Christmas alone, which she was able to bake at the drop of a hat.  Those cookies were shared with many people. Her fabulous turkey dinners served at the holidays are remembered by her family.   Eleanor would be in the audience of any activity her children were participating in.  She kept a very clean home and expected her children to do the same.  Each child learned to use correct grammar, as that was an unwritten expectation in the Carlson household.

After the children were grown and Gordon retired, they enjoyed many camping trips traveling through all 48 states in the continental United States.  Eleanor kept detailed journals, in her wonderful penmanship, of their adventures, collecting state and park information sheets for each place they visited. They enjoyed many winters in Florida staying with daughter Sue, exploring and enjoying the warm temperatures, not missing the winter cold and slippery roads of Sioux Falls.

Eleanor suffered from dementia in her later years but continued to recognize and enjoy her family.  She would play dominos with Gordon and watch the clouds through her window during her year and a half residence at the Village.  The family would like to thank the staff at The Village for their excellent care.

Eleanor is fondly remembered by her children as a loving mother.   She was the behind-the-scenes support for her husband and children.  If she saw a chance to help an individual, such as making a special angel food birthday cake, she would quietly complete the needed task.  As the grandchildren arrived, she enjoyed each visit with them, and continued her tradition of making cookies and serving delicious meals.  The visit of her great grandchildren always brought a smile to her face.

The funeral service will begin at 10:00 AM on Monday, January 8, 2018, at the First Evangelical Free Church (2601 W 69th St, Sioux Falls SD 57108) with burial to follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery.  The family will be present to greet friends for visitation on Sunday, January 7 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Miller Funeral Home Southside Chapel (7400 S. Minnesota Ave.)

She was preceded in death by her parents, Axel and Ruth Swanstrom; infant daughter, Debra Carlson; and brother, Donald Swanstrom.   Survivors include her husband, Gordon Carlson, Sioux Falls; six children, Stanley (Gwen) Carlson, Rochester, MN, Leroy (Marla) Carlson, East Troy, WI, Susan (Scott) Smith, Altamonte Springs, FL, Patti (Marshall) Guthrie, Sioux Falls, SD, David (Rochelle) Carlson, Fitchburg, WI, and Eileen (Paul) Scaringi, Duluth, MN; 8 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; brother, Freeman (Lorene) Swanstrom, Beresford, SD and sister, Sylvia (Caryl) Thorn, Rochester, MN.

Memorials may be directed to First Evangelical Free Church.