Eleanor Esther Tucker

Eleanor E. (Drake) Tucker, 85, entered Heavenʼs glory on the 27th day of June 2024, after a long battle with dementia. She was born in Baileyville, Illinois on June 18, 1939, the daughter of Christian J. and Mabel Drake. She attended Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL, and graduated from the University of Illinois. She received her MA in Education from the University of South Dakota. She taught Kindergarten and First Grade in Libertyville and Skokie, IL; Remedial Reading in Sergeant Bluff; and Special Education at both Longfellow and Joy Schools in Sioux City, IA. She retired in 2000. 

Having been born again by the Holy Spirit into a new creation in Christ, she faithfully served her local church in many ways both as a volunteer and an active participant in Bible studies and missions groups. She also enjoyed volunteering in the community and serving others. 

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William B. Tucker, Sr.; her father, Christian J. Drake; her mother, Mabel Drake; her sisters and their husbands: Delores & Dale Edwards and Marlene & Ken Palmer; a stepson, William B. Tucker, Jr.; a stepdaughter, Karolyn Flowers; and a step-grandson, William B. Tucker III.

She is survived by her son, Nathan Tucker (Decatur, NE); daughter Rachel Hamsher (Orrville, OH); three stepdaughters, Suzetta Tucker, Sally Addison, and Nancy Kurt (Michigan); one stepson, Don Nelson (Michigan); eight grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren. 

Visitation will be at Christy-Smith Funeral Homes, Larkin Chapel (2320 Outer Dr. N.) on Friday, July 12, 2024, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The funeral service will also be at Larkin Chapel on Saturday, July 13, 2024, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.