Eleanor Edith Peterson

Eleanor Edith Peterson

October 31, 1932 - April 7, 2026

Eleanor E. Peterson, age 93 of Eau Claire, passed away peacefully at Dove Healthcare - West in Eau Claire. The family appreciates the care and comfort they provided in her final days.

Eleanor was born on October 31, 1932 in Tacoma, Washington to Emmett Jenkins and Nellie Jenkins (née Dunbar). She shared her wedding vows with her beloved husband Dwayne Peterson on September 22, 1951. Their journey together took them from Washington to Colorado, Utah and Indiana to where they finally landed in Eau Claire, Wisconsin in 1974. In almost 75 years of marriage, they remained soulmates while along the way becoming devoted parents, grandparents, great grandparents and companions and mentors to countless relatives and friends.

Eleanor graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington in 1950 with an emphasis on business classes. Even with her role as a full-time homemaker she continued to work as a secretary at various universities as the family moved throughout the country. She was most proud of her position as Director of Admitting at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eau Claire where she worked until retirement in 1993.

She is survived by her husband, Dwayne; children, Gail (Roger Brian), Diane (John Boyd), and Douglas (Debra Peterson): grandchildren, Heather, Peter and Rachel (Brian), Benjamin and Jacob (Peterson), Tracie (Chris McCray), Paul (Rebecca Boyd); and great grandchildren, Nolyn (Annie Rutherford), Grace and Sydney (Boyd); and a very special friend of the family, Corkie Blackwater.

The blessing of a long life comes with the burden of having to say goodbye to family members and friends throughout the years. In addition to her parents, Eleanor was preceded in death by many special people in her life, notably her beloved sister Marilyn Farcy and her eldest daughter Cynthia McGinnis.

Eleanor was known for her kindness to all, her gentle nature, her enthusiasm for life and most of all her unwavering devotion and love for her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and to all those who became part of her greater family. She was the anchor, the true matriarch of her family and is deeply missed by all that were fortunate to have her in their lives.

A Celebration of Life service is being planned for a future date. Stokes, Prock & Mundt / Cremation Society of Wisconsin is serving the family.