Eleanor Ann Hannemann

Eleanor Ann Hannemann, 92, of West Lafayette, Indiana passed away Monday, March 23, 2026, at Independence Village West in Zionsville, Indiana.

She was born on July 3, 1933, in Gary, IN. She was baptized at and attended St. John's Lutheran School and Church Tolleston. She graduated from Tolleston High School in Gary, IN in 1951 and later from Purdue University in West Lafayette with a degree in History in 1980. On September 5, 1954, she married Robert Earl Hannemann in Gary, IN at St. John's.

Throughout her life Eleanor showed love and unwavering support for her husband and children. She helped her husband through medical school and his pediatric career. She was the family scheduler, vacation planner, homework helper and financial manager. She treasured her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was a master storyteller, game player, and babysitter. Eleanor enjoyed entertaining and hosted the Hannemann Invitational after party, Thursday night family dinners, cocktail parties, Bridge parties, Purdue football tailgates, and kids' birthday parties. She hosted a German exchange student for the school year in 1980. She was also a history lover, particularly WWII history which happened when she was a preteen. Sketching was one of her past times, she even made homemade paper dolls for play time with the kids and grandkids. Her love for art came from her father who was an artist and painter. She was an avid writer and wrote many journal articles. In 2021, she wrote a book based on her memories titled The Glass Straw published by White River Press

She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta and Psi Iota Xi sororities. Eleanor was a member of the Auxiliaries of St Elizabeth and Home Hospitals, and Tippecanoe County Medical Society. She was a founding member of the Battleground Historical Museum Restoration Project, and a member of the Tippecanoe County Historical Society, Lafayette Symphony, Tippecanoe County and West Lafayette Libraries, and the Lafayette Art League and Museum. She was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church in West Lafayette and a board member of Lutheran Child Welfare in Indianapolis. Over the years in Lafayette, she was an English instructor at Ivy Technical College, taught computer science and was a Yearbook Advisor at Central Catholic High School and was a columnist for the Kidz Only page at the Journal and Courier. A wedding consulting business called Weddings Unlimited was one of her many endeavors.

Eleanor is survived by her three children, Robert John (wife Roxie) Hannemann, Laura Eileen (husband Brian) Bittner, and Sarah Lynne (husband J. Todd) Ditmore; 6 grandchildren, Jennifer (Hannemann) Yuill, Emily (Bittner) Jay, Katie Bittner-Perez, Julia (Bittner) Drysdale, Georgia (Ditmore) Lovejoy-Henkel, and Audrey Ditmore; 10 great-grandchildren, Dakota Yuill, Dillon Yuill, Kaylee Yuill, Jackson Jay, Jovie Jay, Eleanor Jay, Keane Perez, Monroe Perez, Hudson Lovejoy-Henkel and Hayes Lovejoy-Henkel; her sister Janet (husband Roger) LaHayne, and several nieces and nephews.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Robert Earl Hannemann, MD; her parents Henry W. Jacobsen, IV and Frieda (Langbehn) Jacobsen; a sister, Dorothy (Jacobsen) Butts; and two brothers, Henry and Alvin Jacobsen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Eleanor's name may be given to Redeemer Lutheran Church, Purdue College of Liberal Arts, Purdue Musical Organization (PMO), or charity of donor's choice.

A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 510 East Lindberg Avenue, West Lafayette, IN on Friday, April 17, 2026, at 1:30 pm with a reception following the service in the fellowship hall.

A private family interment will be held at Pretty Prairie Cemetery in Battle Ground, IN.