Calvelage, Eleanore 105, passed on May 8, 2024 at the Emerald Crest care facility in Burnsville. Eleanore was the 4th of 5 children born to Josephine Johnson Hoie and Lars Monson, immigrants from Norway and Sweden.
Eleanore spent most of her life in Minneapolis and was a member of Minnesota's 'Greatest Generation'. As a child who lived through the Great Depression - the time when she became the person she was, a woman with strong values of honor, integrity and tough virtue - she believed that no one owed you anything, but with hard work, determination and personal responsibility you could achieve anything.
The early death of her mother and WWII ushered her into adulthood. During this time she was employed at Minneapolis-Honeywell where she worked on US military engineering and manufacturing projects while also keeping house for her father and younger brother.
The War led to a whirlwind romance with the handsome Merchant Marine Robert (Bob) and in 1942 they were married. After the war they started their long awaited future and she returned to a more traditional job, including welcoming two children.
Eventually, she was able to re-enter the workforce at a bank and began the upward climb into previously male-dominated positions to become one of the first female personal bankers at what is now Wells Fargo Bank, retiring in 1983 in order "to create opportunities for younger colleagues".
Retirement was just the beginning of a new chapter in her life. She was able to travel and bowl in a league again. When Bob died in 1998, she moved to a senior community where there were activities she enjoyed like crafts and flower arranging, ladies' teas, HOA Happy Hours, playing 500 (card game), and shared meals with her 'gal pals'.
She was renowned for her pies, doing projects while listening to opera (particularly Puccini's Madam Butterfly), her magnificently decorated Christmas trees, and watching the MN Vikings. She was a life-long member of Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church.
She is survived by daughter, Sandy (John); son, Dean (Heide); niece, Corinne (Dick); granddaughter, Mandy (John and great grandchildren); plus many nieces, nephews, and their children.
She was preceded in death by four infants, Bob her husband, all of her siblings, and many dear friends.
A special thanks to the staff at Emerald Crest and Brighton Hospice for their care and spiritual support to Mom and our family.
Mom had a very long and fulfilling life. She will be remembered for her kindness, honesty, and hard work. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. How lucky are we to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. There will be a private interment at Oak Hill Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Published on May 19, 2024
