Eleanor Belgum Tyson

Eleanor May Belgum Tyson went home to be with her beloved Savior on Jan. 12th. Eleanor had reached the notable age of 100 last September something she had looked forward to for several years. She was celebrated by much of her family and the wonderful caretakers she has had over the last 3 years. In the Lord's merciful timing He gave her that moment of joy before bringing her home these months later.

Eleanor was born on a farm near Wilmot, South Dakota on Sept. 3rd, 1925. She was born into a large, loving, close-knit, and hard working family, the 4th daughter in a family of 5 girls followed by 3 boys. Her early years centered around her gregarious and busy family. At about 7 years old she contracted Scarlet Fever and had to stay home from school for a year. This didn't stop her from jumping back into life. She was known for her enthusiasm and her determination. She and her sisters participated in herding the cattle, churning the butter, weeding the acre garden, and of course helping to preserve all the food they would eat over the winter.

She attended a one room school house until grade 8 about a mile from their farm. She remembers walking back and forth from home unless prevented by snow. Winters were brutal, they often had to put snow on the spots of frostbite that would form on their cheeks to warm them up. She attended high school in Wilmot where she was known as the most likely to talk with other students. She graduated in 1944 with her sister Gwen. Her most unusual activity while in high school was playing the E flat tuba in the marching band. She said she was often the dot on the i in Wilmot! At the end of her junior year, she and her 2 older sisters headed to Oakland, CA at the invitation of an aunt. She had told them there were plenty of jobs to be had in the shipyards due to the war. Eleanor spent the summer between her junior and senior years of high school working as a welder on the Liberty Ships being built in Oakland. She truly was a "Rosie the Riveter" She returned to Wilmot for her senior year and then headed back to Oakland to work for a whole year in the shipyards. It was grueling work, but she didn't seem to mind it and very much enjoyed living in the "jewel by the bay". The mild temperatures were particularly appreciated. She and her sisters were saving money for college, something their father greatly desired for all of his children.

By the time Eleanor attended college her parents were living in Springfield, OR. She moved home with them and attended the University of Oregon. She graduated with a degree in psychology and sociology. During the summers she returned to the Bay Area staying with her sisters and working odd jobs. One summer the three of them along with another girl friend drove the Alcan Highway all the way to Alaska for a summer job. They became known as the "first girls to drive the Alcan highway" She and her sisters were always enthusiastic about adventures. During one of the summers she spent in the Bay Area she met her husband, Bill Tyson who was in graduate school at U.C. Berkeley. Her vivacious spirit and warm family were particularly attractive to him They married in 1950 in Berkeley after both were finished with their studies.

Their early married life carried them first to Akron, Ohio, Bill's hometown and Goodyear Tire Co. then to Longview, Washington where their first three children, Peter, Ann, and William were born. Soon after, they headed back to Akron, where their last two daughters were born. This also carried them to New York for a couple of years. Finally, longing for the bay area and her family, Bill consented to returning to Berkeley.

Once they returned to the bay area, it became their permanent home starting in Berkeley for 4 years, four years in Oakland, and finishing in Moraga, CA where they resided for 45 years. All their children graduated from high school in Moraga. While they were raising their children, Eleanor was known for her hospitality; cooking was one of her gifts. She was a gatherer of people both in the neighborhood and the extended family hosting many family and friend meals. Her numerous photo books testify to the countless meals she prepared and the host of family and friends that enjoyed them. To know her was to eventually be invited for a meal. Many of her friends grew to know her family. On several occasions working with the Chaplin at Travis Airforce base she brought foreign soldiers training in the U.S. home for holiday meals. One of these soldiers found himself unable to make his way back home due to the fall of Saigon. He contacted Eleanor and she promptly brought him home and helped him find a job. Bill and Eleanor were instrumental in bringing his wife and 5 children into the U.S. and helping them adapt to life in their new country. They too became a part of her family. She also rented rooms to international students, many of whom became dear friends. She wasn't a landlord, but rather a second mother. She and Bill eventually traveled the world often at the invitation of those she had helped.

Another group that was dear to her were her bridge group friends formed in the early years in Berkeley. These best of friends enjoyed vacations together as well as bridge games and remained faithful to the end of their respective lives.

Eleanor lived out her Christian walk teaching Sunday School for years, counseling at a Billy Graham Crusade, and being first a class member and then a group leader for years at Bible Study Fellowship. This very important part of her life God used to greatly grow her love for Him. She was the spiritual center of her family regularly praying early in the morning for each one.

When she reached the ripe age of 60 with the encouragement of her sisters, she returned to school and became a school teacher. She taught in the inner city schools of Oakland where again she poured out her heart to the students often helping supply them with clothing. She finally retired at 75 only to continue traveling throughout Europe, South Africa, Australia and Japan visiting family and friends in each place. During her retirement years, she and Bill spent

increasing time with her siblings often in Palm Desert. She loved the desert air and being with her family.

In 1980 her children began marrying and having their own families. Between them all they gave her 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She loved her grandchildren dearly and spent as much time with them as she could regardless of where they lived. She also continued to host family gatherings which now had grown to about 70 people filling her backyard with tables, conversations, and the joy of each person present. She got to know each one and doted on all of them. Every other summer there was a family reunion at Lake Almanor in Northern California. She always fed the whole group of family and friends with her famous lasagna, garlic bread and carrot cake. She did this until well into her 80's. She was the original energizer bunny cooking and caring for family members until she couldn't anymore.

After Bill passed away she lived with her older sister for a couple of years. The two of them prayed daily for each of the 24 grandchildren and growing number of great grandchildren. All of them have known the blessings of those faithful prayers often asking her to pray for them. When they could no longer live alone she moved to Boise, Idaho to be near one of her daughters. Her last 2 years were in a small home being cared for by loving, tender caregivers. She finished her course surrounded by family.

Eleanor is survived by her older sister Loretta Belgum and youngest brother Keith Belgum as well as 4 of her 5 children and their spouses, Peter Tyson and Sandy Petersen of Alamo, CA, Ann and Curt Williamson of Seattle, WA, Judy and Jim Mackanic of Livermore, CA, and Jean Schneider of Boise She is also survived by her 13 grandchildren, and their spouses Brian and Sarah Tyson, Laura Tyson, Mark Tyson and Angelo Gianotto, Madeline Tyson, Ben and Susie Gold, Chris and Harriet Mackanic, Josh Mackanic, Becky and Dan O'Connor, Claire and Josh Nichols, April Schneider, Ann and Jordan Rank, Joe Schneider, and John Schneider. She is survived by 14 great grandchildren, Chloe, Theo, and Mackenzie Tyson, William and Leon Gold, Elia, Nick, Luke, and Charles Mackanic, Rachel and Caleb O'Connor, Estelle Nichols, and Eli and Roman Rank. She is predeceased by her husband, Bill Tyson Jr. and son Bill Tyson III. Sisters, Rosella Griffin, Evelyn Belgum, Gwen Smith, and brothers Richard Belgum and Arnold Belgum have also gone before her

In Eleanor's waning years she longed to be with her Savior, knowing that He had mercifully and freely paid in full the penalty for her sin. She awaited her homegoing with great anticipation. She has arrived, what joy!