Eleanor Zell

Eleanor Elsie Esther Zell was called to her lord’s home on February 15, 2023, at the age of 97. She passed away quietly in the middle of the night at the Good Samaritan Society in Howard. Funeral services will be 12:00 PM, Monday, February 20, 2023, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Canova. Burial will happen at a later date in the spring of 2023. Visitation will be 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM, at the church on Monday.

She began her life on February 1, 1926, being born in Sanborn County several miles north of Artesian, on a farm. She lived on the farm with her family until about 1941, when the Zell family moved to a farm a mile or two west of Canova. Eleanor lived on this farm until the 1990’s, and then moved with her sister Caroline to their home in Howard. In 2017, Eleanor moved into the Good Samaritan Society nursing home.

Through the years, Eleanor grew up speaking German as her parents Charlie and Annie Zell both spoke German. After moving to Canova, living on the farm was an enjoyable time. The gardens, flowers, pets, poultry (especially Ducks and Geese) with favorite past times. Eleanor and family were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church, making that a strong part of their lives. When her parents passed on, Eleanor, her sister Caroline and brother Willard continued farming. Willard contracted multiple sclerosis and died early in life. Eleanor and Caroline continued operating the farm but was getting difficult as farming operations were challenging.

Leasing land became the best option in the end.

Eleanor is the last of the Charlie and Annie Zell family. Eleanor and siblings never married and have no offspring. The family had many cousins, uncles, aunts, and good friends on both sides of the families.

Eleanor was an interesting person with a large heart for the needy. Her speech was challenged as the German dialect was combined with English. She donated as much as she could to Wounded Soldiers, Native American schools in SD, her church and other charities. Traveling was not her forte, but she did visit Uncles and Aunts within several hours drive away. She was self-sufficient on the farm; Soc. Sec & Medicare were denied. She financed herself her entire life. She loved driving her car in later years to her farm and around Howard. She is grateful and thanks all of her friends and family in the area for the help and assistance they provided her with over the years. 

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