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Obituary for Eleanor K. Wondra
Eleanor Katherine Wondra passed away peacefully Thursday, June 16, 2022 at the United Pioneer Nursing Home in Luck, WI at the age of 94. Elly was born to Andrew and Elizabeth Reinert on February 9, 1928 in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1936 she moved with her parents and brother, Eddy to St. Paul, Minnesota. After graduating from high school, she attended the University of Minnesota and graduated with a Fine Arts Degree. In 1948 Elly married Gerald (Bud) Wondra, and together they raised eight children. They were married for 57 years until his death in 2005.
You could see Elly’s artistic ability in everything she touched, especially in her home. She was an interior designer before interior designing was a thing. As soon as she moved into a new home for her ever-expanding family, her work would begin. Walls would be torn down, new ones would be constructed, and then painted or wallpapered. Then she would hang beautiful framed artwork on the walls that she had painted herself. Curtains would be sewn and hung, and furniture would be refinished, reupholstered, and rearranged. Outside the color of the house and trim would change and amazing perennial gardens encircled the house and yard. This happened every time they moved. EVERY SINGLE TIME. And she loved it!
Her art came through in so many ways. Christmas was a special time when her creations would be given to the grandchildren - knitted Christmas stockings, knitted matching sweaters with rainbows on the front, or hand-made teddy bears. Later she went on to create one amazing quilt after another. She made molded candles, and made an entire porcelain nativity scene. For several years during the Christmas season, Elly would paint angels, ornaments, and décor and opened her home for a craft sale. Her baked goods were a work of art too. There was nothing she couldn’t do artistically. She was an inspiration to us all and has passed much of her artistic ability on to her children and grandchildren.
Elly was preceded in death by her father, Andrew Reinert, mother, Elizabeth Reinert, husband, Gerald (Bud) Wondra, and sons, Todd, Mark and Gerald (Buddy) Wondra and daughter-in-law, Rose Wondra. She is survived by her daughter Holly Route (Robert); sons, David Wondra (Andrea), Jay Wondra (Patty), Scott Wondra, Paul Wondra (Karen), and daughters-in-law Carole Wondra and Tammy Wondra, 21 grandchildren, and 40 great grandchildren.
A private family service will be held at a later time.
You are invited to leave condolences, memories and photos at www.rowefh.com . Arrangements are entrusted to Rowe Funeral Home in Frederic, 715-327-4475 and the Northwest Wisconsin Cremation Center in Milltown, www.wicremationcenter.com .
