Bicknese, Eleanor M.

Eleanor M. Bicknese, 88, of Oxford Junction, died Saturday, July 31, 2010, at Jones Regional Medical Center in Anamosa. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Oxford Junction. Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Lahey Funeral Home in Oxford Junction, where a Scripture service will be held at 7 p.m. Burial will be in the Mayflower Cemetery, Oxford Junction.

Eleanor Marie Henak was born on August 31, 1921, in rural Oxford Junction, Iowa, to Frank C. and Mary (Dusanek) Henak. She graduated from Oxford Junction High School in 1938, and Scovill Business College in Clinton in 1940. She married Edwin Bicknese on Feb. 7, 1942, at Sacred Heart Church in Oxford Junction. He died in 1988.

She was a bookkeeper for Pioneer Seed and Childress Motor Co. in Monticello for two years. Eleanor also farmed with her husband.

She was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, ZCBJ Lodge No. 22 of Oxford Junction, South Wapsi Workers, American Legion Auxiliary and the Farm Bureau Women. She was an avid bowler.

She is survived by her six children, Jean (Duane) Feuss of Oxford Junction, John (Terry) Bicknese of St. Charles, Mo., Joni Bicknese of Nashville, James Bicknese of Oxford Junction, Janet (Rick Snitner) Bicknese of Cedar Rapids, and Jaclyn (Randy) Melin of Exton, Pa.; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and one sister, Helen Henak of Minneapolis, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter, Joyce; one son, Jerry; her parents; one brother, Robert; and one great-great-grandson, Treyton.

Memorials are preferred.

Online condolences may be left for the family at