Eleanor May Prell

Eleanor May Prell age 99 of Hawks passed away peacefully at the Brook in Grayling on Friday, December 19, 2025.

She was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts to Roland and Estella (Bosworth) Snow, the 11 generation off the Mayflower.

Eleanor graduated from Fairhaven High School in 1944. She met Norman Prell on the island of Cuttyhunk, Massachusetts when he was stationed there while he was in the Coast Guard. After they were married in Fairhaven on February 28, 1946 They moved to Rogers City, and then to Hawks to continue raising their family. In 1960 she became a member of St. Michael Lutheran Church. She was in her glory with a needle and thread, or knitting needles and yarn in her hands. She made many items which included socks, mittens, dresses, shirts, pajamas, sweaters, and baptismal gowns. One of her proudest accomplishments was sewing for Recollections, which sold dresses to the Dollywood Theme Park. She also taught sewing to groups of young ladies through 4H. Many of sewn items were given to charity, such as eyeglass cases, mittens, pillow case dresses, and tote bags. Eleanor was a noon aid mom to the many children at the Hawks School, and then later drove school bus for 20 years. Her main goal in life was to be the best wife, aunt, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother she could be. We can all agree that she succeeded in all these rolls throughout her life.

Eleanor is survived by four children, Paul (Christy) Prell of Hawks, Jeffrey (Patricia) Prell of Hawks, Marilyn Rothberg of Ann Arbor, and Evelyn (William) Peterson of Gaylord; seven grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman; son-in-law, Victor Rothberg; and three sisters, Elizabeth Ricketson, Marjorie Reeves and Gladys Gage.

Friends may visit at Faith Lutheran Church in Hawks on Monday, December 29th from 10 a.m. through time of her memorial service at 11 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Jack D. Ferguson officiating.

Inurnment will take place at Faith Lutheran Cemetery.