Eleanor Alice Robertson
April 9, 1918 – November 1, 2017
Eleanor Alice Robertson, age 99 peacefully passed away on November 1, 2017 at her apartment in Grand Rapids, MN.
Eleanor was born on April 9, 1918, in Ivanhoe, MN to Joseph and Mary Jerzak, one of eleven children. After graduating from Ivanhoe High School, Eleanor continued to work on the family farm until she married Chester Robertson in 1938. The lived in Arco, MN and son Charles was born in Tyler. They moved to Park Rapids in 1942. Chester operated and later owned the grain elevator, Farmers Produce Exchange, until it was sold in 1979. Their second child, Kaylene, was born in 1943.
Through her long history in Park Rapids, Eleanor made a host of friends in all parts of her life. She was a long-time faithful and contributing member of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church and the National Catholic Society of Foresters. She donated countless delicious pies, bars, and breads and worked tirelessly to raise funds at rummage sales, bazaars, and festivals.
Eleanor believed that cleanliness is next to godliness, and her home reflected this belief. She cared lovingly for her home and tended her flower gardens until she moved to independent living in 2012.
As a Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, “Nama” was beloved. She taught her five grandchildren and her nine great grandchildren Polish dances and songs, card games, and the fine art of making doughnuts and keiska. “Nama” recited with dramatic flair, poems she had memorized as a student and told stories of struggle and hardship growing up poor during the Depression. Her progeny cherished her traditional cooking, her fiercely competitive card play, her unconditional love, her boundless energy, and her continuous prayers for their well-being.
As an accomplished and competitive bridge player, Eleanor loved the game and her bridge partners, whom she enjoyed defeating on every occasion possible.
Eleanor will be lovingly remembered by her five grandchildren: Krista (Jeff) Price, Stacy (Jay) Montgomery of Denver, Brian (Alison) Watkins, of Fort Collins, CO, Audra (Scott) Olson of Grand Rapids, MN, and Chad Robertson, of Park Rapids, MN. Her great grandchildren will all remember her fondly: Kassidy and Ryan Olson, Grand Rapids; Jaden and Dane Price, Denver, Owen and Olivia Watkins, Fort Collins, CO; Seth and Thaya Montgomery, Denver, CO and Caden Robertson, Park Rapids, MN.
She is also survived by sister-in-law and dear friend, Carol Robertson, Park Rapids and Willard and Lois Robertson, brother-in-law and sister-in-law of LaMirada, CA, John Watkins, and many nieces and nephews.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Chester, her son Charles, daughter Kaylene, daughter-in-law Wilma Robertson, son-in-law Bill Weiser, her five brothers; Benedict, Walter, Edwin, Irving and Gerald Jerzak and by her five sisters; Agnes Jacobson, Ann Johnson, Dorothy Fitzgerald, Evelyn Johnson, Rita “Deannie” Fehrman and great granddaughter Cierra Rae Olson.
Eleanor’s family encourages everyone to dress in bright colors if they are able to attend her services as we celebrate her life.
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