Eilene Edna Elliott

Eilene Elliott, 100, passed away Thursday, May 30, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Eilene Edna Elliott, born on February 14, 1924, in Sioux City, Iowa, was the beloved daughter of Edna and August (Gus) Blumenthal. From an early age, Eilene demonstrated a competitive spirit, notably winning the City Dodgeball Championship. She graduated from Leeds High School in 1942 and went on to complete her studies at National Business School in Sioux City.

Eilene began her business career at New York Life in Sioux City and later worked at the Sioux City Journal. Her life took a challenging turn when she was diagnosed with an illness. The illness took her to Iowa City, where under normally unfortunate circumstances, she met Glen Eugene Elliott of Oelwein, Iowa, the man who would become her husband of 73 years. Their chance meeting marked the beginning of a lifelong partnership.

Eilene's resilience and strength in the face of adversity remained a defining characteristic throughout her life. She and Glen married on June 2, 1948, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sioux City. They began their married life in Cedar Rapids, where Eilene worked for Spritzer Equipment as the bookkeeper. When Spritzer was looking for a salesman, she knew the right person for the job. Glen was hired, and his selling career began. Glen eventually joined Hanstrum Hubley Tractor Company, leading them to settle in Fairfield, Iowa, for 19 and a half years to be closer to his sales territory. In Fairfield, Eilene and Glen helped form Immanuel Lutheran Church, laying the cornerstone on the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. After 14 years of marriage, their son, Eugene Glen Elliott, was born on February 26, 1962, a blessing they thought they couldn’t have. In Fairfield, Eilene enjoyed playing golf, gardening, and volunteering at the church. Family vacations were to Minnesota and Canada for fishing.

In April 1970, Eilene and Glen founded Elliott Equipment Company out of their home in Fairfield, taking a leap of faith. While Glen traveled selling garbage trucks and street sweepers, Eilene managed the accounting, answered the phone, and took care of Eugene. As the company grew, they moved to Bettendorf, Iowa, to be centrally located, establishing parts and service in a leased building in Davenport. Eilene continued doing the bookkeeping and served as Vice President and Secretary until her retirement from accounting after ten years. Elliott Equipment Company, now 55 years old, has five locations covering seven states and employs over 50 people. Family members, including their son Gene, his wife DaLena, and grandson Gene II, keep the business moving forward and continue to honor its beginnings. Elliott Equipment maintains its family business atmosphere, and much credit is due to Eilene as the backbone of the business and the family.

Outside of the company, Eilene was an active member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church's altar guild, a charter member of Duck Creek Questers for 35 years, and involved in the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Her strong faith was a focal point of her life and her relationship with God. She read many devotional scriptures, especially Portals of Prayer. She always enjoyed attending Our Savior Lutheran Church and then Holy Cross Lutheran Church in the Quad Cities. She enjoyed needlepoint and playing bridge with dear friends. Eilene took great pleasure in watching her son Gene's golf achievements, following his tournaments across the United States. She was an excellent cook, taking numerous cooking classes and always trying new dishes. Her fabulous dinners and sweets were favorites among family and friends. She loved holiday dinners and worked tirelessly to make sure everything was perfect. She collected antiques and art, enjoying her sterling silver napkin ring collection, cut glass serving ware, and Lasansky paintings.

Later in life, Eilene and Glen wintered in Estero, Florida, at the Vines Golf & Country Club for 25 years, enjoying golf, dinners with friends, and visits from their son and his family. In warmer months, they resided at Crow Valley Golf Club in Bettendorf. They cherished their grandchildren Gene II, Samuel, and Samantha, teaching them life lessons and kitchen secrets. A trip to Grandma’s was filled with golf cart rides, playing by streams and ponds, and being spoiled. Eilene loved being a grandmother and, later, a great-grandmother, often talking about her great-grandson Archie’s round cheeks and cuteness.

Eilene is survived by her son Eugene (Gene) and his wife DaLena Elliott; grandchildren Gene (Valerie) Elliott II, Samuel (Lexy) Elliott, and Samantha (Logan) Feller; and great-grandson Samuel Archibald “Archie” Elliott. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Eugene Blumenthal, and her husband of 73 years, Glen Elliott.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266 with a service to follow at 12 P.M.

Memorials can be directed to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa; the American Heart Association; and The Lutheran Hour in St. Louis, MO.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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