Eleanor Mae Palmer, 97, of Roseville, MN, beloved matriarch, friend and teacher, died peacefully surrounded by her family at Regions Hospital on Monday following a short illness.
Eleanor, also known as "Ellie," "Sadie," "Miss Palmer," and "Auntie" to her family, was born May 2nd, 1926 to Mary and Carl Palmer of Lake City, MN. She worked at her dad's Skelly Service Station on Hwy 61 during WWII and graduated high school from Mary E. McCahill Institute in Lake City in 1944. She received her Bachelors in 1948 from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and forever remained a proud alumna.
After college she launched a fulfilling career as a public school teacher, first in Holdingford, Elgin and Preston, then settled in Roseville in 1957, teaching high school and junior high English, social studies and reading. She earned her Masters from the U of M in 1971 and taught until her retirement in 1985. An exemplary teacher, she maintained close personal relationships with many of her students throughout her life. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa sorority for women educators and of Retired Educators Association of Minnesota. She was a devoted Catholic and a proud Minnesotan and American with a strong sense of civic responsibility, volunteering as an election judge into her early 90s.
Auntie enjoyed classical music, MN Orchestra concerts, books, art, history, current events, learning, knitting, cheering for Minnesota sports teams, and traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe. She especially loved visiting Ireland and celebrating her Irish heritage. She was an original season ticket holder of the MN Vikings and a life-long fan, attending her last game at US Bank Stadium at age 93. Auntie's favorite times were spent entertaining friends and family at "The Cottage" on her beautiful Lake Pepin. She was extremely fun, kind, intelligent and generous, with an amazing singing voice and a booming laugh that will be missed by all who knew her.
Survived by sister-in-law Vivian Palmer of Hackensack, nephew Thad (Amy) Palmer of Tonka Bay, nieces Pat (Hadi) Sajadi of Eagan, Leslie (Jeff) Jennen of Fergus Falls, Molly Palmer of Minneapolis, and great-nieces and nephews Sara (Will) Schultz of Minneapolis, Alexander Jennen of Fergus Falls, Gabriel (Jaclyn) Jennen of Portland, OR, Kenzie Jennen of St. Cloud, Elizabeth Jennen of Moorhead, Joshua Palmer of Duluth, MN, Maxwell Palmer of Ames, IA.; three great-great nephews, a great-great niece and extended family. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Bill Palmer, sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Emery Zillgitt, niece Janie Zillgitt, and great-niece Leah Jennen. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Auntie's doctors and nurses at Regions Hospital.
Funeral is 11am Thursday, May 2nd at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Little Canada, with visitation one hour prior to service and lunch to follow. Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in Lake City on June 29th at 11am. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to MacPhail Center for Music, Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance or your preferred charity. Condolences may be left on www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Eleanor, also known as "Ellie," "Sadie," "Miss Palmer," and "Auntie" to her family, was born May 2nd, 1926 to Mary and Carl Palmer of Lake City, MN. She worked at her dad's Skelly Service Station on Hwy 61 during WWII and graduated high school from Mary E. McCahill Institute in Lake City in 1944. She received her Bachelors in 1948 from the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth and forever remained a proud alumna.
After college she launched a fulfilling career as a public school teacher, first in Holdingford, Elgin and Preston, then settled in Roseville in 1957, teaching high school and junior high English, social studies and reading. She earned her Masters from the U of M in 1971 and taught until her retirement in 1985. An exemplary teacher, she maintained close personal relationships with many of her students throughout her life. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa sorority for women educators and of Retired Educators Association of Minnesota. She was a devoted Catholic and a proud Minnesotan and American with a strong sense of civic responsibility, volunteering as an election judge into her early 90s.
Auntie enjoyed classical music, MN Orchestra concerts, books, art, history, current events, learning, knitting, cheering for Minnesota sports teams, and traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe. She especially loved visiting Ireland and celebrating her Irish heritage. She was an original season ticket holder of the MN Vikings and a life-long fan, attending her last game at US Bank Stadium at age 93. Auntie's favorite times were spent entertaining friends and family at "The Cottage" on her beautiful Lake Pepin. She was extremely fun, kind, intelligent and generous, with an amazing singing voice and a booming laugh that will be missed by all who knew her.
Survived by sister-in-law Vivian Palmer of Hackensack, nephew Thad (Amy) Palmer of Tonka Bay, nieces Pat (Hadi) Sajadi of Eagan, Leslie (Jeff) Jennen of Fergus Falls, Molly Palmer of Minneapolis, and great-nieces and nephews Sara (Will) Schultz of Minneapolis, Alexander Jennen of Fergus Falls, Gabriel (Jaclyn) Jennen of Portland, OR, Kenzie Jennen of St. Cloud, Elizabeth Jennen of Moorhead, Joshua Palmer of Duluth, MN, Maxwell Palmer of Ames, IA.; three great-great nephews, a great-great niece and extended family. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Bill Palmer, sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Emery Zillgitt, niece Janie Zillgitt, and great-niece Leah Jennen. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Auntie's doctors and nurses at Regions Hospital.
Funeral is 11am Thursday, May 2nd at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Little Canada, with visitation one hour prior to service and lunch to follow. Burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in Lake City on June 29th at 11am. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to MacPhail Center for Music, Lake Pepin Legacy Alliance or your preferred charity. Condolences may be left on www.mahnfamilyfuneralhome.com.
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