Eloise Eland

Eloise Rich Eland

October 28, 1928 - January 4, 2023

Eloise “Ellie” Rich Eland, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully in Eau Claire on January 4, 2023 at age 94.

A Celebration of Life will be held on April 1, 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 421 S. Farwell St., Eau Claire, WI 54701. There will be a reception in the church following the service.

Memorials can be made to Beacon House , 309 E. Lake St. Eau Claire, WI, 54701 or the Green Valley-Sahuarita Samaritans .

Eloise was born on October 29, 1928 near Trenton, IA. She married her sweetheart, Calvin, in 1949. They had five kids. She was a Registered Nurse for 30 years, and later a marriage and family therapist. She taught yoga into her 80’s.

She was loving, supportive, inspiring, and laughed easily. She cared deeply about family, friends, and community. And she stood up for what she believed in. She and Calvin were advocates for civil and human rights and social justice, and they were anti-war activists. They volunteered with homeless shelters, food shelves, tutoring, building houses, and providing humanitarian aid to migrants crossing the AZ desert from Mexico.

Eloise was a talented artist with an eye for color and pattern, her favorite medium was weaving. She wove beautiful wall hangings, blankets, table runners, and rugs.

She and Calvin lived in the Eau Claire area for much of their married life and had deep roots and friendships in the Unitarian Church and UW-Eau Claire. Later they lived in Green Valley, AZ where they had a strong and loving community in the Borderlands Unitarian Church, their neighborhood, and several organizations. Eloise moved back to Eau Claire in 2020 to be close to family when the pandemic started, but she always hoped to get back to Green Valley, her second home.

Eloise is survived by her children, David, Alisa Jo (Kevin), John (Jeannine), Robert; son-in-law, Bill; her grandchildren Kris, Amanda, Alisa Renee, Danielle, Ashley, Keegan, Jafra, Rosa, and Jamir, and many great grandkids. She is also survived by her brothers, Harold and Dwight, sisters-in-law, Yvonne and Lois, and nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.

She was preceded in death by Calvin (husband), Marcia (daughter), Delores (sister) and Allen (brothers), and parents Allen, Alice and Mabel.

Eloise cherished having time with the people she loved and was happiest when we all gathered for great meals, conversation, card games, stories, and laughter. Her family misses her deeply and will always feel her love.

Eloise’s family gives a special thanks to the caring staff at Heritage Memory Care and St. Croix Hospice.

Online condolences may be shared at www.cremationsociety-wi.com .