Eleanor B. Stone, 95, a cancer survivor and longtime resident of Whitewater went to be with her Savior on Dec. 24, 2014.
She was born to Edward Jacobs and Anna Meudt Jacobs in Woodruff on March 16, 1919. Eleanor attended Whitewater High School. She married Ralph Edward Stone on June 15, 1938 in Dubuque, IA. They had three children: Shirley (John) Hapka; Sharon (Anthony) Hapka; and Sharlene (George) Chapman.
Eleanor is also survived by her eight grandchildren: Kathy Hapka Brady (Paul); George Chapman (Rhonda); DeAnna Brunner (Brian); Mary Berg (Lance); Thomas Hapka; Lisa Hapka Bailey (Jim); Regina Foucault (Jim); and Joseph Hapka. She is further survived by her thirteen great-grandchildren: Sheri Bailey Rockwell (Corey); Melody Brady Martin (Aaron); Nicholas Chapman (Katie); Ian Brady; Anna Foucault; Miranda Bailey; Mikhayla Chapman; Sara Foucault; Logan Chapman; Jonathan Brunner; Sierra Brunner; Ethan Chapman; and Erin Bailey. Eleanor was also a proud great-great grandmother to Ryder Chapman, son of Nicholas and Katie.
Eleanor was a firm believer in the power of prayer, often praying the rosary multiple times per day on behalf of ailing friends or family members. She was also an accomplished baker and card player, and she passed on those skills to a number of her grandchildren.
In her final years, Eleanor remained an avid fan of college and pro football, as well as music. She enjoyed outings to community concerts as her fluctuating health would allow, and she also rekindled her interest in backyard and patio gardening with the help of her grandchildren.
Eleanor was a member of Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church and a member of the Christian Women’s Society. She was also a charter resident of Mulberry Glenn in Whitewater. She lived there for 19 years until moving into Fairhaven in June of this year. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Leo and Kenneth, her sister, Katherine, her sister-in-law Evelyn Jacobs, and her husband Ralph.
The family wishes to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff of Fairhaven for the care Eleanor received during her six months there. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church or Fairhaven. The family would also like to thank and acknowledge Charlotte Meyers for the steadfast friendship and support she provided to Eleanor during the final months of her life at Fairhaven.
A visitation will held on Dec. 29 from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Nitardy Funeral Home in Whitewater. A rosary will be recited there at 6 pm.
A visitation will be held on Dec. 30 from 10 to 11 a.m., at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church, prior to the 11 a.m. funeral Mass. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.
Nitardy Funeral Home is assisting the family.
