Kettering, Eleanor Pricilla May

Eleanor Pricilla May Kettering, 89, of Cedar Rapids, passed away peacefully on Oct. 26, 2012, at Keystone Cedars. There will be no services. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.

Survivors include her son, Jon and his wife, Terri, of Cedar Rapids; and grandsons, Chris of Chicago and Jeremy and Tim, both of Cedar Rapids.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Darwin Grange Kettering; parents, Charles and Robena; brother, Bruce Lamb; and sisters, Wilma Andrews, Jean Haverly and Eloise Wilkinson.

Eleanor was born July 5, 1923, in Roblin, Manitoba, the daughter of Charles and Robena (White) Lamb. Eleanor spent the early years of her life following her family around various locations in Manitoba, Ontario and Iowa, ultimately settling in Dayton Township, S.D., in 1931. She graduated from Britton High School in 1941. Following high school Eleanor put herself through college at Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, S.D., working as a janitor and librarian. She was Student Body president her senior year of college. In order to receive a teaching certificate Eleanor needed to become a U.S. citizen, which she did during her senior year. She taught school in Atwater, Minn., and later Brookings, S.D. While teaching, she went on a blind date and met the love of her life, Darwin Ketterring. She was united in marriage to Darwin on June 8, 1946, in Britton, S.D., and would go on to celebrate 58 years together.

Eleanor and Darwin moved in 1950 to Michigan, where Darwin went to graduate school at Michigan State and Eleanor worked various teaching and office positions. Over the next 35 years, Eleanor and Darwin spent the majority of time living in Toronto, Canada, with moves to Des Moines, Iowa, Chicago and Key Largo, Fla.

In their retirement they settled in Tucson, Ariz., where they spent 23 years together. Eleanor took up the game of golf and tried very hard to improve. Her passion was traveling with Dar. Each year they would go on new adventures around the world enjoying new cities and different cultures.

The family would like to thank the caring staff and her friends at Keystone Cedars for her support and care.

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Published Oct. 29, 2012 in The Gazette