Eleanor Genevieve Hallquist, the daughter of Rev. A. Leonard and Pearl (Peterson) Smith was born April 20, 1930, in Sterling, Illinois. She passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Accura HealthCare, Stanton, Iowa, at the age 94 years, 5 months, and 4 days.

In 1934, when Eleanor was 4, the family moved to Stanton, Iowa. In school, she loved singing and music, playing tennis and 6 on 6 basketball. At the state music contest, she received a 1 rating for a contralto solo. She also played clarinet in the band, and as a junior, directed the band for the class play when the instructor went to New York. In 1948, Eleanor graduated from Stanton High School. She attended Luther College in Wahoo, NE, and while there loved singing, playing tennis and basketball.

Eleanor was united in marriage to Donald F. Hallquist on August 19, 1949, in Stanton, Iowa. They raised five children and farmed northwest of Stanton. As a member of Mamrelund Lutheran Church, she taught Sunday school, directed the junior and chapel choir, and sang in the choir for over 50 years. She served as president of Lutheran Church Women and was also district president. Eleanor was a member of Stanton's Entre Nous Federated Club that started the first Santa Lucia celebration in 1952, Montgomery County Extension Women's Homemaker of the Year in 1965, and also a contact person for the Red Cross. Eleanor was the contralto soloist in four Messiahs. She sang at many weddings, funerals and was a member of the Montgomery County Women's Chorus.  Eleanor and Donald enjoyed their children and grandchildren's many activities. They traveled to Egypt, Israel, Mexico and Sweden.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Donald Hallquist on December 26, 1998; daughter, Ruth A. Williams; brothers: Dr. Leonard S. Smith, Clayton Smith and sister-in-law Julie Smith; son-in-law, James A. Williams; and sisters-in-law: Louise (Helmer) Johnson and Lorraine (Harold) Larson.

Eleanor is survived by four children: Rhoda (Gary) Hartstack of Stanton, IA; Knute (Denise) Hallquist of Stanton, IA; Kevin (Cindy) Hallquist of Stanton, IA; Keith (Kim) Hallquist of Omaha, NE; 10 grandchildren: Andrea Hartstack, Leanne (Mark) Johnson, Brian (Kari) Hartstack, Jamie (Sara) Williams, Julie (Brittany) Williams, Allison (Andrew) Newman, Valerie (Zach) Hensley, Carrie (Josh) Moline, Nichole (Ryan) Hines, Erin (Clint) McFarland; step-grandchildren: Jordan (Kristen) White, Chase (Whitney) White, Hunter (Taylor) White; 14 great-grandchildren: Andrew, Lauren, Lilian, Graham, Jace, Tyler, Blake, Emma, Chase, Parker, Paisley, Kierstin, Easton, and Brynn; step-great-grandchildren: Mila, Nash, Winter, Samantha and Ivy; brother, Rev. Dr. Carlyle A. (Sharon) Smith of Surprise, AZ; sister-in-law, Sharon Smith of Thousand Oaks, CA; many nieces, nephews and friends.

May God bless her memory and give strength to those who mourn.

Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 30, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton, Iowa

Burial in  Mamrelund Cemetery (Old Cemetery) Stanton, Iowa

Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Mamrelund Lutheran Church, Stanton, Iowa.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.sldfuneralhome.com

Sellergren-Lindell-DeMarce Funeral Home is in charge of Eleanor's arrangements and serving her family.