Eleanor Lanz

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Eleanor J. Lanz, 90, of St. Lawrence, passed away Monday, November 7, 2022, at the Good Samaritan Society, Miller.

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 12, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church, Pastor Robert Brooks, officiating.  Burial will follow at the St. Lawrence Cemetery.  Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.  

Eleanor Jean VanDenBerg was born March 25, 1932, in Douglas County, SD to Herman and Lena (Ligtenberg) VanDenBerg. She joined her older sister, Gwen, at home in Douglas County. The family moved to the Miller area where they welcomed two little brothers, Lowell and Max.  Eleanor attended school across the road from her home until 8^th grade. If the weather was bad, they would often have students stay the night, sometimes even the teacher. Her parents owned the first TV in the area so whenever there was a fight on, the living room would be overflowing with neighbors. Eleanor attended and graduated from St. Lawrence High School in 1950.

Eleanor married David Lanz on January 1, 1950, in Miller, SD in the middle of a blizzard. Together they raised three daughters: Leanna, Vicky, and Brenda on the family farm North of St. Lawrence.  David would affectionately call her “Ellie with the little round belly”. Through all their years together, you would often see Eleanor and David holding hands around town.  Eleanor and David belonged to a Square Dance Club, traveling to neighboring towns and rarely missing a dance.  At home, they would push the table out of the middle of the floor and dance in the kitchen. They loved having coffee with friends, inviting them into their home daily.

For a few summers, Eleanor worked in the Blue Grass yard North of St. Lawrence, emptying sacks. Following summers, she painted barns, out buildings, and interiors of houses and churches. In her later years, she went to work at the Hi-Lite Bar and Lounge waitressing. She loved waitressing and made sure coworkers remembered that she held the record for highest tip, earning $125 from one table.

Eleanor learned to sew at an early age from both her mother and sister-in-law, Rae Chalcraft. She sewed clothing for her whole family and for others in the community, including the drill team, cheerleaders, and prom goers to name a few. In March of 1975, she went into partnership with Tootie Manning and they opened the Fabric Inn in Miller. In 1978, Elsie Welch became Eleanor’s partner until they closed in 2015. She spent lots of time and was known for her work mending and doing alterations. It was here that she also enjoyed the moments with her grandkids, teaching them to make change.

Eleanor enjoyed jack rabbit hunting with Rae, taking all of their children on their (not so slow) adventures. Eleanor would drive while Rae shot out of the passenger window. She also had her own .243 rifle that she would use to go deer hunting.

Eleanor and David were amazing grandparents, supporting their grandchildren and great grandchildren in sporting and school events. She was an incredible baker, making fresh bread, caramel rolls, and buns while her children were growing up. People would conveniently stop by on baking day, Friday, to sample her work. Eleanor was also known for her famous chocolate cake with brown sugar frosting.  Sunday morning coffee at Grandma and Grandpa’s was a cherished and loved family tradition. Eleanor’s family will always be grateful to her for her honesty, witty mouth, support, and unconditional love. 

Eleanor is survived by her husband of 72 years, David; daughters: Leanna (Dale) Resel of St. Lawrence, Vicky Russell of St. Lawrence, and Brenda (Daryl) Dedman of Gillette, WY; 9 grandchildren; 26 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; siblings: Gwen Campbell of Ohio and Lowell (Nona) VanDenBerg of Ohio; sister-in-law, Marjorie VanDenBerg of Idaho; and a host of nieces and nephews. 

She is preceded in death by her parents: Herman and Lena VanDenBerg; mother-in-law and father-in-law: Louie and Myrtle LaVelle Lanz; step-mother-in-law: Eva Fritts Lanz; son-in-law, Gary Russell; grandson, David John Engel; two infant grandsons: Preston Allen Engel, and Dillon James Black; grandson-in-law, Scott Teason; brother, Max VanDenBerg; brothers-in-law: Dean Campbell and Louie (Vi) Lanz; and sister-in-law Rae (Bill) Chalcraft.

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Eleanor’s arrangements.