In Loving Memory of

Eleanor Juliette Ringen

Eleanor Ringen was born on February 16, 1926 on the family farm southeast of Butterfield, Minnesota to Theodore and Maude (Johnson) Anderson.  She grew up on the family farm and graduated from Butterfield High School in 1943.  Following high school Eleanor ventured to Minneapolis, MN to find work.  She was hired as a housekeeper for a family and later went to work at Bemis Bag Company.   While Eleanor was still in high school she met Ira “Ike” Ringen a young man from South Dakota who worked for a farmer in Madelia, MN.  They were married on March 16, 1946 in Trimont, MN.  Following their marriage they made their home in Howard, SD where Eleanor worked for Minor County in the Welfare Department.  In 1949 they moved to Ruthton, MN and in 1959 they moved to Slayton, MN. Eleanor worked at a department store in Slayton and later for the Murray County Welfare Office.  In the early 1970’s she began working for income tax preparers Pete Reed later for Jerry Moline until her retirement in 2003.  Ike passed away on February 3, 2004.  Eleanor remained in Slayton until 2006 when she moved to Stoneybrook Suites in Sioux Falls, SD.  In 2013 she became a resident of Southridge Care Center in Sioux Falls where she passed away on Friday, May 20, 2016 at the age of 90.  Eleanor was a member of Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton and served as church secretary for a number of years she was active in the Ladies Aid, Circle member, she sang in the choir and played bells in the bell choir.  Church life was very important to Eleanor.  Eleanor enjoyed reading and served on the church library board for many years. She also served as an adult 4-H leader. Eleanor had a number of hobbies over the years.  She made many items of clothing for herself and her family.  She was a good cook and made many good dishes, homemade bread, desserts and the most delicious pies.  She also enjoyed crocheting, embroidery and painting “still life”

Survivors include her three sons, Art (Tonya) Ringen of Lennox, SD, Allen Ringen of Chancellor, SD and Timothy Ringen of Aberdeen, NC; two granddaughters, Diana and Dustin Randall of Freeman, SD, and Ronna and Nick Poppens of Sioux Falls, SD; two great-grandsons, Collin and Winston Randall; two sisters, DeLorris Quiring of Windom, MN, and Jean Tieman of Minneapolis, MN, three sisters-in-law, Gladys Kessler of Mitchell, SD, Anna Ringen of St. James, MN, and Rosalie Ringen of Glendive, MT and several niece and nephews.  She is preceded in death by her parents, infant daughter, Kathleen Ann and brother, James Anderson.

Funeral Services

Christ Lutheran Church in Slayton, MN on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Ted Kunze officiating.  The organist is LaDean Lang with special music by Heidi Winter.  The pallbearers are Richard Quiring, Gary Quiring, Dan Tieman, Steve Ringen, Jerry Moline, and Robert Tieman.  Interment is at Kansas Lake Lutheran Cemetery in rural Butterfield, MN.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at the church on Wednesday.