Ralph (Eleanor) Chelsen
July 18, 1930 — July 5, 2022
Ralph (Eleanor) Chelsen
Mrs. Ralph (Eleanor) Chelsen, 91, of Morris, passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at Lightways Hospice Home in Joliet.
Born July 18, 1930 in City Island, Bronx, New York, she was the daughter of Norwegian immigrant parents, Nils and Elise Halvorsen. In her youth, Eleanor was very active in her church teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir and organizing activities for young people.
She graduated from high school in 1947 and lived a memorable year in Norway, getting acquainted with her large family, skiing, and enjoying Norwegian culture.
After returning from Norway, Eleanor worked in a New York City office for several years before attending Lutheran Bible Institute and then Augsburg College in Minneapolis Minnesota. During her time in Minneapolis, Eleanor dated Ralph Chelsen, a student at Concordia and then Luther Seminary; they were married in 1954.
Together, Eleanor and Ralph served churches in Mitchell, South Dakota and Gully, Minnesota. In 1960, they moved to Lisbon, Illinois to concurrently serve Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lisbon and Grace Lutheran Church in Morris until Ralph’s death in 1981. Eleanor loved people and enjoyed serving the Lord as a pastor’s wife in their community.
Following Ralphs’s death in 1981, Eleanor joined the activity department staff at Pleasant View Continual Care Retirement Community in Ottawa. After “retiring”, Eleanor worked in the Yorkville Circle Center School cafeteria and as the Treasurer of the Newark Senior Center.
Upon graduation from Lutheran Bible Institute, Eleanor wrote, “To glorify Christ in a life of service is now my aim and purpose.” She faithfully lived out this purpose until her death.
Preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers (Lenny and Walter) and sisters-in-law (Mira and Timmy); her husband, Ralph passed away on July 23, 1981; her son, David on February 10, 2019.
Eleanor is survived by her daughter Ruth Ann (Ray) Collings of Atlanta, Georgia, daughter-in-law Lori (David) Chelsen of Newark, son Mark (Jeanne) Chelsen of Ankeny, Iowa, daughter Miriam (Rick) Tollefson of Newark and son Paul (Laura) Chelsen of Wheaton; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to Foundation for His Ministry, P.O. Box 74000, San Clemente, CA 92673-0134 or Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000 Boone, N.C. 28607-3000
Visitation will occur on Friday, July 8 from 1:00 PM -3:00 PM at Helmar Lutheran Church, 11935 Lisbon Road in Newark. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM immediately following the visitation, with Pastor Steven C. Lombardo officiating. A private interment will be held at Lisbon Cemetery. Fruland Funeral Home, 121 W. Jefferson Street in Morris is coordinating the arrangements. For more information call the funeral home at 815-942-0700 or sign the online guest book at www.frulandfuneralhome.com
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. Ralph (Eleanor) Chelsen please visit our Sympathy Store.
Born July 18, 1930 in City Island, Bronx, New York, she was the daughter of Norwegian immigrant parents, Nils and Elise Halvorsen. In her youth, Eleanor was very active in her church teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir and organizing activities for young people.
She graduated from high school in 1947 and lived a memorable year in Norway, getting acquainted with her large family, skiing, and enjoying Norwegian culture.
After returning from Norway, Eleanor worked in a New York City office for several years before attending Lutheran Bible Institute and then Augsburg College in Minneapolis Minnesota. During her time in Minneapolis, Eleanor dated Ralph Chelsen, a student at Concordia and then Luther Seminary; they were married in 1954.
Together, Eleanor and Ralph served churches in Mitchell, South Dakota and Gully, Minnesota. In 1960, they moved to Lisbon, Illinois to concurrently serve Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lisbon and Grace Lutheran Church in Morris until Ralph’s death in 1981. Eleanor loved people and enjoyed serving the Lord as a pastor’s wife in their community.
Following Ralphs’s death in 1981, Eleanor joined the activity department staff at Pleasant View Continual Care Retirement Community in Ottawa. After “retiring”, Eleanor worked in the Yorkville Circle Center School cafeteria and as the Treasurer of the Newark Senior Center.
Upon graduation from Lutheran Bible Institute, Eleanor wrote, “To glorify Christ in a life of service is now my aim and purpose.” She faithfully lived out this purpose until her death.
Preceding her in death were her parents; two brothers (Lenny and Walter) and sisters-in-law (Mira and Timmy); her husband, Ralph passed away on July 23, 1981; her son, David on February 10, 2019.
Eleanor is survived by her daughter Ruth Ann (Ray) Collings of Atlanta, Georgia, daughter-in-law Lori (David) Chelsen of Newark, son Mark (Jeanne) Chelsen of Ankeny, Iowa, daughter Miriam (Rick) Tollefson of Newark and son Paul (Laura) Chelsen of Wheaton; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be given to Foundation for His Ministry, P.O. Box 74000, San Clemente, CA 92673-0134 or Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000 Boone, N.C. 28607-3000
Visitation will occur on Friday, July 8 from 1:00 PM -3:00 PM at Helmar Lutheran Church, 11935 Lisbon Road in Newark. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM immediately following the visitation, with Pastor Steven C. Lombardo officiating. A private interment will be held at Lisbon Cemetery. Fruland Funeral Home, 121 W. Jefferson Street in Morris is coordinating the arrangements. For more information call the funeral home at 815-942-0700 or sign the online guest book at www.frulandfuneralhome.com
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Mrs. Ralph (Eleanor) Chelsen please visit our Sympathy Store.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ralph (Eleanor) Chelsen, please visit our flower store.
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