Eleaner Larraine Magnussen
October 24, 1924 - March 28, 2011
Obituary
Eleaner Larraine Magnussen
Eleaner Larraine Magnussen, cherished Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and friend too many passed safely into the arms of our Lord on March 28, 2011. She will be dearly missed by her children, Lynn Witheford Peter, Leslie Weil J. Martin, Rick Magnussen Sally, and Mark Magnussen, as well as her eight grandchildren, and seventeen great-grandchildren and numerous friends and caregivers.
Eleaner was warm, sensitive, compassionate, and caring. She was lovingly known as ‘Mame’ by many of her friends and family. A hard-working homemaker, she also earned the nickname ‘energizer bunny’. Raising her family was her priority, but she also worked side by side with her husband in his many businesses. Animals also held a special part of Eleaner’s heart, and she had quite a menagerie of pets throughout her life. Dogs, birds, and even a squirrel, ‘Buddy’ that she trained to come to the door for peanuts every morning. An avid gardener, Eleaner spent many hours in her beautiful yard tending to her Rose Garden. She also had a green thumb for raising African Violets which bloomed profusely under her gentle care.
One of Eleaner’s greatest joys was coming to Seattle to visit her ever growing family. After living 35 years in Spokane, WA, Eleaner was finally able to move to the Seattle area to be near her four children. For the past 10 years there has not been a single day that she was not visited by at least one family member. Birthday celebrations, holidays, and outings of various kinds filled her days with joy. After the passing of her husband, Eleaner moved to an Assisted Living facility but still spent a great deal of time with family.
God bestowed the ultimate gift, a blessing beyond words. He gave us you Mom! Thank you Lord for this grand family treasure. Mom, we will love, miss, an always remember your gentle soul. You touched us all, and we will never forget the love, giggles, and genuine sweetness that will leave a beautiful and endless ripple effect. You will be missed beyond words.
The family would like to express a special thank you to Garden Terrace of Federal Way. Your loving kindness and compassion for our Mother was of great comfort and was so appreciated. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Billy Graham Crusade.
Eleaner and Fred were my neighbors for most of my life. I have many happy memories of Eleaner tending her roses with her much loved dogs Samantha and Molly. Eleaner’s was a long well lived life that needs to be celebrated.
Mame graced our lives by her example of acceptance and love. She was a soft influence on those who knew her. Her life would brighten when anyone showed her honor, respect and love. God blessed my life by letting me know her…good bye Mame, you are missed.
Praying for God’s Blessings of Love, Peace and Comfort be with you all as you celebrate her wonderful life.
No one exemplified characteristics of consistency in love and nurture more than Nana, my grandmother. I am honored to have been given the gift of her presence in my life. I will always cherish the loving memories I hold, and look forward to spending eternity with her.
We feel fortunate to have known Eleanor. Our sympathy to her children. Jim and Pat Morrow
Our condolences to everyone in the family. We remember Eleanor fondly, of course, as everyone does who knew her. Mom Lindy preceded Eleanor by just 10 days but Dad also shares in your loss.
My condolences to everyone in the family. I have known Eleanerand Fred for many,many,years.They were very fine,fine people. Eleaner was a classy,soft spoken fun person to have known .You are in my thoughts and prayers. Dan Jurgens & Family
After reading her memorial, I wish that I had the opportunity to have known Eleaner. It is so difficult for a family to lose such a wonderful mother. My condolences and sympathy goes out to all of them.
My condolence in the loss of your beloved Mother. She, Leslie. and Lynn were so kind to my Mother, Evelyne Plein and myself. My Mothers’s Memorial Service was also held on April 16 four years ago. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Sandi Darby
The memory I would like to share about Mame is the joy and dedication I saw in her daughter Leslie as she spent her first retirement years with her mom. She was so happy to be wtih her mom and later, so happy to make her mom and others at Garden Terrace laugh and feel special. I am grateful that Mame’s dog Katie joined Leslie and my dad’s household because we adore her. I am certain that Mame’s good spirit lives on in Leslie and in all others whose heart she touched.
Mame was such a lovely lady. Always so gracious. Her family is fortunate to have had such a wonderful mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
We grieve with all of you but find utter joy in knowing that Eleaner is experiencing the love she deserves as she is with our God. You will join her again one day to experience her love and sweetness. It was us who were blessed to have met Eleaner and we quickly grew very attached to her. We will miss her very much and we are honored to have met such a wonderful woman. How comforting to know she is with our Heavenly Father. What joy for us when we see her again one day!
Mom was a beautiful person, inside and out, and I feel truly blessed to have been her daughter. I miss her so very much but she will forever be in my heart. I love you Mom…we will see each other again oneday.