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Eleanor Louise Miller Sandholm was born March 23, 1930, in Fontanelle, Iowa to Fred and Marjorie Dilley Miller and entered into the arms of her Savior on Aug. 4, 2022, in Des Moines at the age of 92 years, four months and 12 days. Eleanor was baptized, confirmed and married at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Fontanelle. She graduated from Fontanelle High School in 1947 and attended Simpson College where she received her two-year teaching degree, after which she taught in elementary school for a year in Osceola.
She met the love of her life, William “Bill” Sandholm at Simpson and was united in marriage to him on July 2, 1950. Bill and Eleanor enjoyed nearly 51 years of marriage, making homes in DeSoto, Truro, Griswold, Pleasantville and especially in Greenfield as Bill’s career in education took them to various school districts. They were blessed with four daughters: Susan, Kathy, Gwen and Sarah. In 1965, Eleanor graduated from Drake University with a B.S. in Elementary Education.
She loved teaching reading in the Greenfield School District and providing reading tutoring for countless students. She was passionate about faith activities, including founding the Little Lambs Preschool at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenfield, serving as a regional officer for the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, participating in Bible studies and helping at Camp Okoboji. Eleanor also was active in community projects in Greenfield such as promoting restoration of the Opera House and activities of the Greenfield Hospital Auxiliary Board.
In 2014, Eleanor moved to Crestridge in Creston and enjoyed her time there, especially at Salem Lutheran Church. In 2020, she moved to Des Moines and loved her apartment at The Gardens at Luther Park. Eleanor had a gift for making friends wherever she lived or traveled. She loved gathering with family and friends, hosting family gatherings, cousins’ camp and preparing beautiful holiday celebrations. Most of all, Eleanor’s faith was a shining light throughout her life to all whose lives she touched. She constantly put her trust in God’s goodness and grace. “It will all work out,” were her favorite words of wisdom. She never ceased to proclaim, through her words, her actions and her life, the Good News of God’s abundant and unconditional love revealed through Jesus.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Sandholm; her parents, Fred and Marjorie Miller; her sisters, Madeline Strom and Mildred Jacobson; brothers-in-law, Louie Strom, Leo Jacobson, Franklyn Sandholm and Keith Sandholm; sisters-in-law: Jean Sandholm and Charlotte Sandholm.
She is survived by her daughters, Susan Sandholm-Petersen (Roger Petersen), Kathy Allen (Russ), Gwen Buck (Dave) and Sarah Beurskens (Mike); grandchildren: Christian, Andrew, Jan-Marie, James, Joseph, Kate, Anna, Daniel, John, Mark, Matthew, Michael, Charlie and Will; twenty-one great-grandchildren, as well as beloved cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends.
Celebration of Life Service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10 at Salem Lutheran Church in Creston. The service will be live-streamed at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv5vNn1jCLNEpDtNzrA8rmw
The Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield is in charge of the professional arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.lambfuneralhomes.com
The family will greet friends 5 - 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9 at Lamb Funeral Home in Greenfield.
Memorials may be directed to Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Good Gifts (checks to: ELCA Good Gifts, designated for Bibles or Sunday School start-ups, or online at https://goodgifts.elca.org/wish-list/eleanor-sandholm-memorial-gifts ) or to ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (checks to: ELCA YAGM or online at https://community.elca.org/yagm/give ).