Eleanor Ida Marie Klammer Wandersee, age 90 of Buffalo,
died Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at Ebenezer Covenant Home, Buffalo.
Eleanor was born Feb. 19, 1910, the fourth of seven children
born to George Fredrick and Mary Sophia (Kuhlman) Klammer, on a farm in
rural Howard Lake. The Rev. E. Robert baptized her into the Christian faith
March 27, 1910, at St. James Lutheran Church, Howard Lake. Her baptismal
sponsors were Maria Engelmann, Heinrich Kuhlman, and Ida Birkholz.
Eleanor renewed her baptism covenant on her confirmation,
June 1, 1924, by the Rev. Al Oetjen. Her confirmation verse was Mark 24:13,
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Eleanor attended Corey School, a one-room schoolhouse south
of Howard Lake Township, through sixth grade; and seventh and eighth grade
at St. James Parochial School, Howard Lake. She attended Howard Lake High
School, graduating in 1928.
Eleanor walked four miles to school from the family farmstead.
Following graduation, she moved to St. Paul to study nursing at Anoker Hospital.
Her studies were interrupted as her mother’s health deteriorated, and she
returned home to resume homemaker tasks and care for her ailing mother.
On Sept. 2, 1934, the Rev. Carl P. Rasmussen united Eleanor
in marriage to Reuben Fredrick Wandersee at Como Park Lutheran Church, St.
Paul. Minnesota Alfred Wandersee, Reuben’s brother, and Florence McVeety
were their witnesses.
The couple resided in St. Paul and later, in 1939, they
moved to Rockford Township and were members of Cross Lutheran Church. This
marriage was blessed with two sons and three daughters: Stanley, David,
Evangeline, Marilyn, and Marcella. In 1946, the family moved to Maple Street
in Rockford.
Eleanor worked at Tonka Toys from 1952 until 1959 when
she enrolled in the licensed practical nurse program at the University of
Minnesota. She graduated from its school of nursing Aug. 17, 1960.
Following graduation, Eleanor was employed at Minneapolis
General Hospital from 1960 until her retirement in 1972.
During her retirement years, she enjoyed rosemaling, gardening,
and fishing. Eleanor resided in her home in Rockford until March 1994, when
she entered Ebenezer Covenant Home in Buffalo.
Eleanor enjoyed reading scripture and inspirational books.
A faithful member of Cross Lutheran Church until her death, she found strength
and courage through her faith in the Lord, which she instilled in her children
and shared with others.
Eleanor was preceded in death by both parents; her husband
Reuben; her sister, Clara; her brothers, Erwin, Elmer, and Alfred Klammer;
sister-in-law, Ruth Wandersee; brother-in-law, Alfred Wandersee; and grandson,
Bradley Seifert.
She is survived by two sons, Stanley (Darlene) Wandersee
of St. Paul, and David Wandersee of Rockford; three daughters, Evangeline
Vollrath of Blaine, Marilyn (Kenneth) Seifert of Annandale, and Marcella
(Rick) Johnson of Franktown, Colo.; 12 grandchildren: Valerie Rosenfeld
of Arlington, Julie (Gerald) Anderson of Maple Grove, Brent Vollrath of
Buffalo, Mark Wandersee of St. Paul, Sheila Arens Nethery of Pine, Colo.;
Sherri (Scott) McDaniel of Littleton, Colo.; Barry Vollrath of Denver, Colo.;
Heather (Paul) Witt of S. Charleston, W.V.; Hiliary (Steven) Heddon of Hughsville,
Penn.; Bethany (Bradley) Marquardt of Lino Lakes, Angie (Paul) Anderson
of Fort Wayne, Ind.; and Richard Nethery, Jr., of Denver. Colo.
She is further survived by nine great-grandchildren: Tiffany,
Matthew, Mitchell (Valerie) Rosenfeld; Ashley, Jessica, Trent, Brittany,
Kaitlyn (Julie) Anderson; and Lucas (Sherri) McDaniel; Reed (Bethany) Marquardt
and Colin (Heather) Witt; two brothers and five sisters-in-laws, Edwin and
Elsie Klammer of Howard Lake, Reuben and Doris Klammer of Palos Verdes Estates,
Calif.; Milla (Erwin) Klammer of Howard Lake, Margaret (Elmer) Klammer of
St. Paul, and Irene (Alfred) Klammer; nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Funeral services were Sunday, April 2, 1 p.m., at Cross
Evangelical Church, Rockford, with the Rev. Andrew Krause officiating.
Janet Beise was the organist. Vocalist Cindy Steinke sang “In The Garden.”
Congregational hymns were “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” “The
Old Rugged Cross,” and “Beautiful Savior.” Interment followed
at the Howard Lake Cemetery.
Friends called at the Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, Saturday,
April 1, from 4 to 8 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m.
Barry Vollrath, Brent Vollrath, Dennis Klammer, Glenn Wandersee,
Mark Wandersee, and Arvid Luhman served as casket bearers.
The Peterson Chapel, Buffalo, served the family.
Back to Current Obituary List
| Obituary Archive Menu
Leave a Reply