Eleanor Kroetch Obituary

Eleanor May Johnson was born February 20, 1932, on a farm near Russell, Minnesota, the daughter of Martin and Viola (Cunningham) Johnson. She was the sixth child in a family of ten. She grew up on a farm and attended rural grade school and later Russell High School.

Eleanor was united in marriage to Arthur A. “Art” Kroetch on June 30, 1950, in Cottonwood, South Dakota. They moved to San Francisco, California, where two of their sons, Steve and Bruce, were born while Art was serving in the United States Army. After Art’s discharge in 1952, the family returned to Philip where their five other children, Mary, Barb, Jerry, Sharon, and Carol were born.

After returning to the Philip area, Eleanor followed Art with the first three children to random areas in western South Dakota as he put up hay for ranchers. While Art was haying with his crew, Eleanor was not only taking care of the children but was also feeding the haying crew out of a 14-foot camper trailer. When the time came for the children to attend school, they moved to Philip where Art & Eleanor purchased a salvage yard and operated that which eventually turned into Scotchman Industries, Inc. as it is known today.

Eleanor was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Sacred Heart Evening Guild Tribe #4. She was a wonderful wife and mother who loved spending time at church but also loved dancing, bowling, doing ceramics and putting puzzles together with friends. She was a friend and companion of many elderly women over the years taking them anywhere they needed to go.

Grandma Eleanor loved and cherished all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always looking forward to the time she could spend with them listening to their stories. She poured out endless love to each and every one of them.

In January 2001, they retired and spent the summer months in South Dakota and the winters in Sun City, Arizona, traveling to their children’s homes in between.

Grateful for having shared her life with her children, she is survived by her children Mary (Richard) Arnold, of Colorado Springs, CO, Barb (Gerry) Rislov, of Philip, SD, Jerry (Karen) Kroetch, of Philip, SD, Sharon (Michael) Scozzaro, of Chandler, AZ, and Carol (Dan) Asheim, of Rapid City, SD; two daughters-in-law, Karla Kroetch and Linda Kroetch, both of Philip, SD; 20 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dick (Marlys) Johnson of Congress, AZ, and Darrel (Karen) Johnson of Balaton, MN; and host of other relatives and friends.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Arthur A. Kroetch on July 3, 2007; two sons, Steve Kroetch on January 18, 2006, and Bruce Kroetch on September 6, 2019; three sisters, Jane Unger, Fern Nelson, and Vivian Buchert; four brothers, Dudley Johnson, Vernon Johnson, Merlin Johnson, and Dolan Johnson; and one step great-grandson, Steveland Gillespie.

In lieu of flowers a memorial is established to the Philip Health Services Nursing Home Fund P.O. Box 324 Philip, SD 57567 or the Haakon County Young Woman Kiddie Park Memorial Fund P.O. Box 163 Philip, SD 57567.

A visitation will be held from 6-7 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 28, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Philip with Father Gary Oreshoski as celebrant assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein.

Interment will follow at the Masonic Cemetery in Philip.

Service Details

VISITATION
Friday, September 27, 2019 - 6-7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

PRAYER SERVICE
Friday, September 27, 2019 - 7 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Philip, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Saturday, September 28, 2019 - 10:00 a.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church - Philip, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father Gary Oreshoski
assisted by Deacon Lloyd Frein

MUSIC
Marianne Frein - Pianist
Maureen Palecek - Cantor
Congregational Hymns
“Here I Am Lord”
“Precious Lord Take My Hand”
“All is Well With My Soul”
Laurel “Mort” Meyenburg - Soloist
“How Great Thou Art”

PALL PLACEMENT
Eleanor’s Granddaughters
Jillian Mayles - Kerry Waterson - Danielle Templeton
Carly Asheim - Mariah Asheim - Mackenzie Asheim

GIFT BEARERS
Eleanor’s Granddaughters
Micky Reedy - Julie Daly - Brooke Formanek

USHERS
Ralph Kroetch - Terry Buchert

ALTAR SERVERS
Eleanor’s Great-Grandsons
Dane Daly - Carson Daly - Evan Kroetch

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Ray Smith - Toby Kroetch

READERS
Eleanor’s Granddaughters
Lisa Kunz - Jennifer Jones

PALLBEARERS
Eleanor’s Grandsons
Martin Kroetch - Jaris Kroetch - Ross Kroetch
Benjamin Arnold - Jason Arnold - Alan Rislov
Adam Rislov - Josh Kroetch - Michael Scozzaro

INTERMENT
Masonic Cemetery - Philip, South Dakota

Guest Book

Jerry,
Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. May God give you the comfort and peace that you seek. Our prayers go out to you and your family at this very difficult time.
Sincerely,
Larry, Jean, Jennifer & Ron Texas Southwest Machinery, Inc.
~ The Couch & Hill Family Texas (9/26/2019)

What a wonderful women Eleanor was. Hugs to the whole family, she will be very missed. God be with all of you during this difficult time.
~ Theresa Pekron Arvada, CO (9/24/2019)

My sympathy for your loss of a classy matriarch.
~ Shawn Fitzgerald Memphis TN (9/25/2019)

She always sang to our music, enjoyed dancing, and visiting. Always had a smile for us. What a great lady. We will miss her very much.
~ Ruthann Carstensen Philip, SD (9/24/2019)

Our Prayers and thoughts to the family. God Bless.
~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler Sturgis, S.D. (9/24/2019)

We are thinking of you folks, hold on to all the memories. She was quite a lady, she sure loved music, always clapping her hands while watching us dance at the nursing home. She waved at everyone when she was pushed around the dance floor. We all know she is in a better place with all her loved ones.
~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (9/24/2019)

So sorry for your loss of Elenor. Prayers to all the family to remember the good times and keep her spirit in your hearts. May God give you strength and peace.
~ Kenny and Robin Stoner Murdo, SD (10/9/2019)

Our deepest condolence to the family.
~ Kari and Kendall Kjerstad Grand Junction CO (10/3/2019)

Hugs to the entire family. Eleanor was a splendid roommate to my mother. She had a beautiful smile and a good sense of humor. I pray you can find peace in your heart. Losing a mom/grandma is not easy. Hold the fond memories close.
~ Stacy Dole Pierre, SD (9/24/2019)

Nebraska
~ Bonnie Moses Exeter (9/28/2019)

My sympathy for your loss of a classy matriarch.
~ Shawn Fitzgerald Memphis TN (9/25/2019)

Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart. A fun gal to be around and have for an aunt, friend, and Godmother.
~ Jim and Vonnie O’Dea Howes, SD (9/25/2019)

Our deepest sympathies to all of the Kroetch families. So sorry for your loss. What a wonderful lady Eleanor was!
~ Nathan & Brittney Drury Philip (9/24/2019)

To the Kroetch Family and their Families
Eleanor will be remembered for her smile and the love she shared for all of you. Wishing you peace as you grieve the loss of your mom, grandmother and friend.
~ Dennis & Barbara Plunkett Arizona (9/27/2019)

Dear Kroetch Family
You are all in our thoughts and prayers as you mourn the loss of your mother. Eleanor was a wonderful gal. She always took the time to visit and ask questions and really wanted to know how your day was going. I loved when we did the trick or treat on Halloween because her eyes would just twinkle watching all of the kids. She had such a beautiful heart, let that carry on in all of you as part of her legacy.
Thank you for sharing her with all of us! We are going to miss her dearly
Love to you all
David, Michelle, Kelcey, Katie and Lukas
~ Michelle Butler Philip, SD (9/25/2019)