HAPPEL, Eleanora (Musch) 1914-2018

HAPPEL, MUSCH, WILKENING

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 5/27/2018 at 21:21:36

Eleanora Mathilda Happel

Funeral Service:
Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 11:00 am
Immanuel Lutheran Church
4820 Oster Parkway
Cedar Falls, Iowa

Private Family Burial:
Garden of Memories
3669 Logan Avenue
Waterloo, Iowa

Eleanora Happel, daughter of Albert H. and Anna (Wilkening) Musch, was born September 26, 1914, on the family farm in Mt. Vernon Township in Black Hawk County near Janesville, Iowa. She was baptized as an infant at home and later confirmed in 1928 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Denver, Iowa.

Eleanora graduated as valedictorian of the Janesville High School Class of 1932. Due to the Depression, she was able to attend Wartburg College for only one year. Eleanora began her business career at Lutheran Mutual Life Insurance Company of Waverly, Iowa, establishing their first IBM department. The majority of her career was spent as the business and building manager of the YWCA in Waterloo. After retiring in 1974, she was the bookkeeper for Gene Enderlein Clothiers and the Britchery in Waterloo, Iowa.

While Eleanora enjoyed her career, her family remained her first priority. On February 6, 1947, she was united in marriage with Walter H. Happel at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Denver, Iowa. They had one daughter and were married for 53 years when Walter passed away in 2000. Walter & Eleanora were a hard-working team. They remodeled and maintained a number of homes as rental properties in the 1950s, 60s & 70s.

Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Waterloo were central to their lives. Eleanora taught Sunday School for many years and was a very active member of the Dorcas Society serving at various times as president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. She was also a member and officer in the school’s PTO. Eleanora enjoyed being actively involved in LWML and served as treasurer at the zone level. Personal hobbies and interest included sewing, crocheting, doing jigsaw puzzles, and playing Rummikub & 500.

Eleanora passed away at the age of 103 years on Sunday, May 20, 2018, at Lexington Estate at Buchanan Health Center with her loved ones by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a sister, Agnes Wente; and a brother, Herbert Musch. Eleanora is survived by her daughter, Audrey (Robert E.) Hill; three granddaughters: Elizabeth (Travis) Aslin, Erin (Nick) Phillips, and Laura Hill; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be directed to the family.

SOURCE: Parrott & Wood Funeral Service