Eleanor Ortlund
January 31, 2008
Eleanor Pauline Ortlund 92, of Des Moines died Thursday, January 31, 2008 at Valley View Village. Funeral services will be held 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2008 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Avenue; visitation will be held 2 hours prior to the service. Burial will take place in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Eleanor was born December 2, 1915 in Sioux City to Paul Bratt and Emma C. Johnson. A loving wife, mother and friend who served faithfully alongside her husband as a partner in ministry, and as a perfect pastor’s wife. Eleanor was a gifted hostess, she loved teaching children; she was creative in her home, garden, crafts and in entertaining. She loved singing in the choir. She will be remembered most for her smile, her warm heart and gracious manner.
Eleanor is survived by her husband Reverend Donald Ortlund of Des Moines; her son, Dennis (Linda) Ortlund of Des Moines; her daughters, Susan (Paul) Cowan of Vienna, VA, and Sharlene Ortlund of Hong Kong, China; 6 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Evangelical Free Church of America, Church Planting Fund.
She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.
Lois and Bryan Johnson
02/01/2008
Dear Don and family,
No one needs to tell you what a wonderful, caring, sweet person Eleanor was. We loved her so much. Don, You and Eleanor were such special friends to us while you served in Richvale and we served in Chico. We had many fun times going to Bidwell Park with lunch and enjoying the sound of the creek nearby. Then you moved to Moline and as God would have it He sent us to Moline as well. There we enjoyed so many special times together. Don, you and Eleanor were always so positive and filled with blessings and praise to the Lord. We had many talks about the ministry and the Lord.
Every woman who knew Eleanor felt that she was their best friend. What a gifted personality the Lord gave her.
WE are sure that the minute she saw Jesus she flashed that trade mark smile of hers. Can't you just see her.
You have our sympathy and love. Other obligations and the uncertainty of weather will keep us from attending her service. We are sorry about that. Maybe we can come and see you Don later on in the Spring.
We will be sending a memorial gift to the American Bible Society.
Love, Comfort and Blessings to all.
Lois and Bryan Johnson
Debra Johnson
02/01/2008
Dearest Ortlund Family and especially Don,
I'm Debbie Johnson, youngest daughter of Rev. Bryan and Lois Johnson. My heart goes out to all of you. I LOVED Eleanor. She was sooo loving to me and my family (as was Don). I remember us all kidding around about how we followed you guys around the country (maybe we weren't kidding). My family followed you from the midwest (you in Iowa and we in Minnesotata) to California (you guys to Richavale and we moved sometime later to Chico). Then you guys moved to Homewood EV FREE in East Moline, Illinois so we followed suit to First Free in Moline, Illinois. I remember lots of Sunday dinners at Bishop's Cafeteria, after all they had the BEST French Silk Pie AND besides ministers got quite the discount. My favorite memory (besides all the smiles and hugs) was all of us sitting in my parents' living room in Moline. Eleanor and I were blowing HUGE bubbles with bubble gum. (She was in her 60s and I was in my 20s). We absolutely laughed and laughed until we cried blowing the big, pink bubbles. We were snuggled up on the couch together just being goofy and loving each other's company. I will miss your Eleanor. Don, I still love you.
Debbie Johnson
Roseville, CA