Eleanor Marie Maier Taylor

Eleanor Marie Maier Taylor

Iowa City

Eleanor Marie Maier Taylor of Iowa City passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025 at Briarwood Healthcare Center.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Iowa City. Family will greet guests from 8:30 – 10:00 am prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery, Iowa City, and following the burial there will be a luncheon at the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Mary’s of the Visitation Catholic Church (228 E. Jefferson Street, Iowa City, IA 52245) or Briarwood Healthcare Center (605 Greenwood Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246).

Eleanor was born on January 26. 1923 in Alburnett, IA, the third daughter of Carl and Mable Bachman Maier. She graduated from Alburnett High School, then attended Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA for two years, where she was an active flute participant in orchestra and a soloist.

There she met and married Richard Edward Taylor in Reinbeck, IA on June 27, 1942. After he served in the Navy, they moved to various places to finish his education. Eleanor was an accomplished seamstress while raising her family of four, residing in Lamont, Corydon, Waukon and lastly Iowa City, where Dick became the principal at Iowa City High School.

Eleanor was employed at the University of Iowa for 15 years, first in the Registrar’s Office, then with Finance and University Services until her retirement in 1985.

Eleanor was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church since 1965. She served funeral dinners, sang in the choir, was a member of St. Bridgets Bridge Club and Fourth Tues Bridge. She was also a member of Music Club, Mercy Guild, University Club, volunteered in the Mercy Hospital Gift shop and a member of the Johnson County Senior Center, where she played flute in the band.

Eleanor is survived by her three children: James (Carolyn) Taylor of Cedar Rapids, IA, Rick Taylor (Rae Anne Bayani) of Sun City West, AZ and Ellen (Dennis) Gerard of LeClaire, IA; grandchildren Traci (Ron) Weber, Susan (David) Odom, Taylor (Julie) Harris, Andrew Taylor, Sara (Russ) Dueker, Philip Taylor, Michael (Rachel) Gerard, James (Jenn) Gerard and Joseph (Michelle) Gerard. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren, son-in-law David Harris, former daughter-in-law Darlene Taylor and numerous extended family and friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband Richard E. Taylor, daughter Mary Kathryn Harris, her parents and three siblings: Irma Stambaugh, Neva Mercer and Lester Maier.

Thank you to Emily, Shannon, Susan and Chris for helping our mom to stay in her home for a few more years and to enjoy her window to the world. Thank you to all the Briarwood staff, Marissa and her team at Essence of Life Hospice for all of your loving care.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.