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Eleanor R. Partridge, age 88, of Annandale died Thursday, September 5, 2019 at Cardinal Cottage Memory Care in Annandale and is now home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, September 13, 2019 at Heartland Evangelical Free Church in Annandale with Pastor Denny Johnson officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Annandale. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday at Heartland Evangelical Free Church with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral on Friday at the church.
Eleanor Ruth Partridge was born May 27, 1931 in Faribault to the Rev. James and Queen (LaBanta) Rutgers. As a minister's daughter, the family moved frequently and lived in numerous communities. They resided in South Haven during Eleanor's formative years. She graduated from Annandale High School with the Class of 1949. In 1953, she graduated with a Christian Education Degree from Vennard College in University Park, Iowa. While a student at Vennard, she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. Eleanor was always active in the ministry of sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ through the local church; first at Evangelical United Brethren Church in South Haven and for the last 50 years at Annandale Evangelical Free Church (now Heartland). At the church, she was involved with White Cross, Christian Womens, music ministy, multiple church boards, various Bible study groups and Young at Heart.
After working as a Christian Education Director in Elkhart, IN and as a secretary to the Dean of Vennard, she returned home to marry Payson Lane Partridge on September 6, 1958 at the Lake Koronis Assembly Grounds in Paynesville. They made South Haven their home where they lived on the Partridge family farm; they were blessed with four sons. In 1960, Eleanor began a 37 year career as a secretary for Annandale School District 876. Eleanor was a member of the Annandale Kiwanis and enjoyed volunteering at Annandale Middle School and the Annandale Care Center. Eleanor was well known for her kind, faithful, gentle and helpful way.
Eleanor is survived by her sons, Joel (Tara) of St. Cloud, Brian (Ann) of South Haven, Gary (Amanda) of Castle Rock, CO and Ronald (Sarah) of Keewatin; eight grandchildren, Brittany, TC, Matt, Nicholas, Dylan, Brayden, Grady and Anden; sister, Phyllis (Bob) Gelinas of Estero, FL; brother-in-law, Bob Davis; and numerous cousins, nephews and a niece. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Marilyn Groves, Lois Moeller, Miriam Rutgers, Doris Rutgers and an infant sister; and sister-in-law, Glenna Davis.
The casket bearers will be Eleanor's grandchildren. Phyllis Johnson will provide the music for the service. Arrangements are entrusted with Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.
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