Eleanor Anton

Harvey

Eleanor M. “Ele” Anton, 101, Harvey, North Dakota formerly of Drake, North Dakota, passed away Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at St. Aloisius Nursing Home, Harvey, North Dakota. Funeral Services will be Monday, February 13, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home in Fessenden, North Dakota. Pastor Roy Erdahl will officiate and burial will be in the Drake City Cemetery in the spring. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the Funeral Home. Nelson Funeral Home, Drake, North Dakota is in charge of the arrangements.

Eleanor (Ele) Schiele, daughter of Frank Sr. And Trudy (Murray) Schiele, was born August 13, 1921 on the Louie Knuth farm north of Balfour. The Schiele family lived southeast of Balfour until 1927 when they moved into Balfour. Ele attended Balfour Public School for 12 years.

On October 28, 1939 she was married to Bill Anton at Towner. To this union two sons were born, Gary Roger in 1940 and Wayne LeRoy in 1942. They made their home in Drake where they operated the Morris Café. Ele also worked at the J. C. Penney Store, the Bell Telephone office and the Drake Pharmacy.

In October of 1951 they moved to Hazen where Ele was employed at the Rexall Drug. They returned to Drake in October of 1953 and she resumed working at the Drake Pharmacy, which she thoroughly enjoyed, for over 20 years.

Ele and Bill loved children. In addition to frequent summer visits by their nieces and nephews, they were foster parents for a number of children. These children, now adults, continue to keep in touch with Ele and often remind her what a positive influence she and Bill had on their lives. Ele served as Secretary-Treasurer of the Drake Public School P.T.A. for several years.

Ele was a former member of the Evangelical Church in Drake which was later renamed the Evangelical United Brethren Church and more recently the United Methodist Church. After moving to Harvey in 1978 she attended the United Methodist Church of Harvey. She served as Sunday School Teacher, youth fellowship leader, Bible school teacher and was a member of the ladies’ aide. She was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary and was also a member and past Adjutant and Chaplain of the Drake Army Mothers. She helped with the Forget Me Nots for Army Mothers and gave the welcome address for the Army Mothers at the Drake Memorial Day ceremony for many years. Ele was also an active member of the Frank E. Curry American Legion Post #28 Auxiliary in Harvey where she served as secretary, adjutant, chaplain, poppy chairman and later V.A. officer. She was also a member of the Sixties Plus Birthday Club and the Harvey Eagles Auxiliary.

Ele loved to bake and would share her baked goodies with friends and neighbors. She was also an avid reader.

She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Joanne Anton of Pawcatuck, CT; 2 granddaughters, Cindy and Shari; 7 great-grandchildren, Aaron, Sara Beth, Marc Eric, Colton, Michael David, Matthew and Jacob; great-great-grandchild, Landon; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Ele was preceded in death by her husband Bill who passed away January 2, 1981; her son Gary Roger who passed away July 12, 1949, her son Wayne who passed away August 18, 2012; her granddaughter, Jacqueline ‘Jackie Jo’; 3 sisters, Ruth Catherine, Mildred and Winona; and 3 brothers, Donald, Glen and Frank.

Published by The Minot Daily News, February 10, 2023.