Obituary for Eleanor JoAnn Schultejans

Eleanor JoAnn Schultejans, 92, of Anamosa passed away peacefully on October 13, 2023 at Anamosa Care Center, Anamosa, Iowa. The Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, October 30, 2023 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church,217 N. Garnavillo St., Anamosa, IA. Visitation will be prior to the funeral from 9 to 10:45 a.m. Luncheon will follow in the church basement. Burial at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Prairieburg, IA.

Eleanor was born August 10, 1931 at the farm house near Baileyville, KS to Edward and Rose (Wichman) Skoch. She attended country school then went to Catholic school at St. Benedict, KS where she graduated in 1949. She married Edwin Schultejans at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Benedict, KS on Jan. 13, 1951. In 1958 they moved to Iowa to a farm near Prairieburg with their 2 daughters. Eleanor farmed with her husband until his death on Aug. 30, 1972.  

Eleanor stayed on the farm with her 5 children until they were through school. She moved to Anamosa in 1990. She was active at St. Patrick’s Church and volunteered as a reading buddy to Kindergartners at St. Patrick’s School. She babysat while on the farm and cleaned houses for a number of years after moving to town. Eleanor was part of the group known as the “Merry Widows” participating in parades and other volunteer activities. They were awarded the Anamosa Distinguished Citizens Award in 2000 and the Anamosa Music Boosters Music Ambassador Award in 2010. Following a severe stroke in 2011, the Anamosa Care Center became her new home. She was an ardent Hawkeye basketball fan, enjoyed playing bingo, doing crafts, word games, and reading.

Eleanor is survived by her five children, Debbie (Don) Hardersen, Anamosa; Connie (John Bagwell), Tempe, AZ; Rick, Tiffin; Diane (Will) Walker, Ladson, SC; and Randy (Susan), Marion; sixteen grandchildren Stephanie (Wayne) Hora, Lee (Jenna) Hardersen, Casey Tomlinson, Alex (Teri), Sara (Josh) Karsjens, Drew (Trisha Roling), Kurt (Jenna Gallichio), Edwin, and Seth Walker; Riley (Molly Beer), Duncan, and Mallory Schultejans, and Dylan, Lia, Josephine, and Henry Scharnau, ten great-grandchildren; Tysen, Danielle, Kael, Michael, Mason, Hadley, Brinley, Marcus, Charlotte, Thea (and one on the way), and many nieces and nephews.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Edwin, her brother and sister-in-law Elmer and Mary Skoch, and her twin sister and brother-in-law Esther and Rochus Enneking. The family wishes to thank Dr. Vernon and Dr. Meyers, Unity Point Hospice, and the staff at the Anamosa Care Center for the wonderful care given to our Mother for almost 12 years. Cremation arrangements were with Iowa Cremation.