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Kerr, Eleanor S.
Eleanor S. Kerr, 94, died peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011, at Oaknoll Health Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, where the family will greet friends after 10 a.m. The Rev. William Lovin will officiate. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice or the charity of the donor's choice.
Eleanor was born Oct. 16, 1916, in Newton, Iowa, the daughter of C. Everett Smith and Myrtle L. Wormley. Eleanor was raised on a farm north of Newton with her brother, Bryon, and her sister, Myra Jean. She was a graduate of Newton High School and Capital City Commercial College in Des Moines. In 1942, Eleanor graduated from the University of Iowa. She had been employed as a secretary at Maytag, Bankers Life and other businesses over the years.
Eleanor married Wendle L. Kerr in1943 in Indianapolis, where Wendle was stationed with the U.S. Army as a pharmacist. In 1945, they returned to Iowa City, where Wendle was on the faculty at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy for many years.
In 1946, their sons, James and John, were born. Eleanor was a Cub Scout Den Mother, served on the Lincoln Elementary School PTA and served as Congregational Church financial secretary.
She belonged to various College of Pharmacy, military and social organizations. She was a member of the University of Iowa Presidents Club. She lived in Manville Heights until moving to Oaknoll Retirement Residence in 2002.
Survivors include her sons, James (Beth) of Iowa City and John (Patricia) of Cedar Rapids; her sister, Myra Jean Persselin of California; three grandchildren, Catherine (Eric) Wagner of Elmhurst, Ill., Sarah (Brian) Severson of Western Springs, Ill., and Kelly (Brian) Barry of Waukee, Iowa; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, her parents and one brother.
The family would like to thank the staff at Oaknoll Retirement Residence for their many years of care.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at
Published Sept. 9, 2011, in The Gazette
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