Trout, Eleanor Louise (Hill) 1923-2026

TROUT, HILL, HAMMER, GORMLEY, ANDERSON

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 6/4/2026 at 13:42:29

Eleanor Trout
Photo of Eleanor Trout
1923-2026

Eleanor Louise Hill Trout, 103, of Jefferson City Missouri, formerly of Newton, Iowa, passed away at home on Friday, May 29, 2026, at Heisinger Bluffs, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in rural Jasper County, Iowa on May 18,1923, a daughter of the late Frank Scott Hill and Mabel May (Hammer) Hill.

Eleanor was a 1940 graduate of Newton High School, participated in the teacher “Normal School” training and attended a year at Iowa State Teachers College (now known as University of Northern Iowa).

She taught country school, then moved to California and worked in a newspaper office, supporting the World War II effort, then returned to Newton to work at Parsons and the Maytag Company.

She married Morris (Morrie) Trout on June 18, 1947, her friend from childhood who also worked at Maytag. When their first child arrived in 1952, Eleanor left the work force. The children and volunteer work kept her busy. She was active in education, serving as PTA president and home room mother. She was active in church, serving as Sunday School teacher, and was Clerk of the Session in the Presbyterian Church. She helped lead the effort to establish Girl Scouts in Newton. She was active in her children’s activities. In 1983, when Morrie was transferred by Maytag, they moved to Jefferson City. When Morrie retired after 40 years at Maytag, they chose to retire in Jefferson City.

Morrie and Eleanor were both active in the community and the church. Eleanor accompanied Morrie to support numerous community events. Eleanor was active in Newcomers Club (for new people moving to Jefferson City), a sewing club, and Women’s circle at church. Eleanor was a birthright Quaker and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Jefferson City. She was known for providing her cookies, homemade bread and casseroles to the church for events and to shut-in friends and neighbors. Eleanor loved flowers, birdwatching and gardening. She enjoyed cooking garden produce and frying fish caught by Morrie. She loved embroidering, quilting and made over 100 quilts by hand, many of which became gifts for family members and friends. She loved reading. She was interested in local and national news and subscribed to three newspapers. She was an avid letter writer and card sender to family and friends for holidays and birthdays. She also looked forward to receiving cards and letters.

Eleanor loved to travel and each fall for 23 years went on an “annual” trip with daughter Dixie to visit family, friends and historic sites in a different US location. In the final seven years of her life, she traveled via car or air to Arizona, South Carolina and Iowa multiple times.

Eleanor especially loved her family and enjoyed sharing reunions and outdoor activities. She was interested in genealogy and loved to visit family members and share information.

She is survived by her children, Dixie Trout of Amana, Iowa and her husband Dennis Gormley, and Perry (Sally) of Leawood, Kan.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Evelyn Anderson and son David (former wife Sandra) of Jefferson City, Mo. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two sisters-in-law, LaVola Trout and Bernice Trout of Newton, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 3 at the First Presbyterian Church, Jefferson City from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Services will be held immediately following the visitation at 5:30 p.m. with pastors Rudy Beard and Woody Berry officiating.
Visitation, graveside rites and burial will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Center Friends Church near Newton, Iowa.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the First Presbyterian Church or Center Friends Church and Cemetery Fund in Newton.

Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 W. Main St., Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838.
Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com.
Published June 2, 2026