Eleanor Wiesner

Eleanor Wiesner, age 92, of Watertown, SD, died March 21, 2024 at Avantara Care Center of Lake Norden with family by her side.

A visitation will be held at Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer in Watertown on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from noon to 1:00 PM with a funeral service at 1:00 PM. Officiant will be Pastor Laura Overbo. Following the service, refreshments will be served with burial to follow at Lakeview Cemetery of rural Clear Lake.

On February 23, 1932, on a farm six miles east of Estelline, SD, Eleanor H. Bruinsma was born to parents Dirk and Ida (Franken) Bruinsma.  She grew up on the farm with her ten siblings and attended school in Estelline graduating in 1949.  Following graduation, she attended Dakota State College where she obtained her teaching certificate.  She then taught for a year in a one room country school.

Eleanor was united in marriage to Wallace "Wally" Wiesner on June 15, 1951, in Clear Lake, SD. Wally was called into the service but upon his return, the couple made their home in Brookings, Sioux Falls, Irene, Beresford and back to Sioux Falls while raising their two sons, Gary and Calvin. Eleanor loved the outdoors and especially hiking.  She hiked often and was a member of the local hiking club. She was active in her church circle and enjoyed knitting afghans, doing needlework, and baking especially her bars and her well-remembered apple pies. In the center of Eleanor's life was her family. She thoroughly cherished her grandchildren and loved attending their sporting and school events.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her siblings, Jesse, Alvin, Ben, Janet, Stephanie, Art, Lester, Delmer and Iva Mae.

Grateful for having shared Eleanor's life are her two children, Gary Wiesner and his wife, Jill of Pickstown and Calvin Wiesner and his wife, Sandy of Watertown, four grandchildren, Brad Wiesner, Sarah Schmillen, Kyle Wiesner, and Jenny Bernin, and seven great grandchildren. She also leaves her brother, Robert Bruinsma and a sister-in-law, Mary Bruinsma.

Eleanor's service will be livestreamed.  The link is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xM8zNfLMfL8 .

Furness Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements and have an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com.