Eleanor Stager
d. July 28, 2017
No formal funeral service is planned. Philip has been waiting for her since his death in 2005 and together they will have a private burial in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Eleanor Irene (Groothuis) Stager, age 95, of Clara City, passed away Friday, July 28, 2017. Eleanor was born September 22, 1921 in Stoneham Township, Chippewa County, to William and Marie (Uttermark) Groothuis. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church on December 4, 1921 and confirmed on August 26, 1936. She grew up in the Clara City area, graduating from Clara City High School in 1939. It was during high school that she met her future husband, Philip Stager, and enjoyed many rides with him on his Harley. After Philip enlisted in the Army during World War II, Eleanor moved to Minneapolis to support the war effort by working at the Twin Cities Ordinance Plant. They married on January 3, 1944 at St. Clements Chapel in Minneapolis, MN. After the war, she and Phil moved back to Clara City to raise their family and enter the business community, eventually purchasing the Clara City Mercantile and establishing the Coast to Coast hardware store.
Eleanor was active in her church, supportive of the community as a volunteer and business member, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and enjoyed the companionship of many wonderful friends through various clubs, activities and travels. She and Phil enjoyed the years of their retirement by traveling to Arizona each winter and putting lots of miles on their vehicle, exploring the many wonders and beauties across the country. She loved to read, hike with Phil and friends, and play golf.
Eleanor is survived by her three children, Scott Stager of Columbia, MO, Thomas Stager of Peoria, AZ and Kristin (Duane) Stager Almquist of Two Harbors, MN; grandchildren Matthew Almquist, Michele Almquist and Deanna Almquist; siblings Arleen Bussian, Ednabelle Kuehl, Robert Groothuis and Carol Groothuis and many other nieces, nephews and relatives in the extended Groothuis and Stager families.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Philip and infant son Philip; siblings and their spouses Leo & Gladys Groothuis, Lola & Russell Kranz, Phyllis & Charles Kranz, Mary Kawell, Julene & Pete Howard, and infant brother Lyle.
Eleanor Irene (Groothuis) Stager, age 95, of Clara City, passed away Friday, July 28, 2017. Eleanor was born September 22, 1921 in Stoneham Township, Chippewa County, to William and Marie (Uttermark) Groothuis. She was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church on December 4, 1921 and confirmed on August 26, 1936. She grew up in the Clara City area, graduating from Clara City High School in 1939. It was during high school that she met her future husband, Philip Stager, and enjoyed many rides with him on his Harley. After Philip enlisted in the Army during World War II, Eleanor moved to Minneapolis to support the war effort by working at the Twin Cities Ordinance Plant. They married on January 3, 1944 at St. Clements Chapel in Minneapolis, MN. After the war, she and Phil moved back to Clara City to raise their family and enter the business community, eventually purchasing the Clara City Mercantile and establishing the Coast to Coast hardware store.
Eleanor was active in her church, supportive of the community as a volunteer and business member, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and enjoyed the companionship of many wonderful friends through various clubs, activities and travels. She and Phil enjoyed the years of their retirement by traveling to Arizona each winter and putting lots of miles on their vehicle, exploring the many wonders and beauties across the country. She loved to read, hike with Phil and friends, and play golf.
Eleanor is survived by her three children, Scott Stager of Columbia, MO, Thomas Stager of Peoria, AZ and Kristin (Duane) Stager Almquist of Two Harbors, MN; grandchildren Matthew Almquist, Michele Almquist and Deanna Almquist; siblings Arleen Bussian, Ednabelle Kuehl, Robert Groothuis and Carol Groothuis and many other nieces, nephews and relatives in the extended Groothuis and Stager families.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Philip and infant son Philip; siblings and their spouses Leo & Gladys Groothuis, Lola & Russell Kranz, Phyllis & Charles Kranz, Mary Kawell, Julene & Pete Howard, and infant brother Lyle.
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