Obituary for Eleanor Diersing
Eleanor Bess (Williams) Diersing, 96, of Holts Summit, passed away in the early hours of Saturday, June 27, 2020.
Eleanor was born on October 3, 1923, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Glen L. Williams and Margaret (Ivey) Williams.
She was married on December 14, 1952 to William F. Diersing, who preceded her in death in 2015, after celebrating over 60 years of marriage.
Eleanor graduated from Greenwood High School in Bossier Parish, LA, where she received numerous academic awards. She was also very active in the 4-H organization, winning a number of awards at the Louisiana State Fair.
She received her Registered Nursing Degree from what is now the Louisiana State University Medical Center. She worked at a number of hospitals in Shreveport and New Orleans, with increasing responsibilities. She later took a position as a nurse with the American Red Cross in Shreveport, which is how she met her husband, Bill, when he was stationed at Barksdale Air Field in Shreveport.
After their marriage, Eleanor moved with Bill to Louisville, KY, then to Lexington, KY, where she worked as a pediatric/OBGYN nurse for the University of Kentucky Medical Center. They later moved to Missouri when Bill accepted a position with the Missouri State Highway Department, first in Sikeston, then in Jefferson City. While living in Jefferson City, Eleanor worked as a nurse for the Missouri State Hospital in Fulton, she later took another nursing position with the American Red Cross, where she worked until her retirement.
Eleanor was an avid gardener, which is something she shared a strong connection with Bill. The two had several large gardens on their property, and ran a small Christmas tree farm for approximately 10 years as a small business/hobby.
Eleanor was very active in her church, the Central United Church of Christ, and made many life-long friendships there. She was also very involved in her children’s activities, as a supporter, car-pool driver, and chaperon on group trips, and she placed a strong emphasis on academic achievement.
Throughout her life, Eleanor was a strong supporter of charities and philanthropic organizations. Having worked during the polio epidemic, she was particularly focused on charities focusing on children’s health issues, such as the March of Dimes. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill. She was a devoted wife, and later devoted caregiver, and the two had a wonderful marriage. She was also preceded in death by her son, William F. Diersing, III; her parents; and her siblings, Glen L. Williams, Jr., Inez Williams, Dorothy Lafitte, Betty Patrick, and Jere Williams.
Survivors include her son, Jere Diersing (COL, U.S. Army Reserve), of San Diego, CA; her sister-in-law, Bobbi (Frey) Williams; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Services will be held at Freeman Mortuary on Monday, July 6, 2020, at 11:30 a.m., with a visitation taking place from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest by her husband and son.
Because of pandemic concerns, all attendees are asked to have a face cover (though these will be provided at the service) and to practice appropriate social distancing practices. A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 11:30 Monday for friends that are not able to attend by going to her memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name are suggested to the American Red Cross or to the William Diersing Scholarship Fund with Unlimited Potential (formerly Neighborhood Houses) http://www.upstl.org/donate/ Her family would also like to thank Jefferson City Manor Care Center and Hospice Compassus for their wonderful care.
www.freemanmortuary.com
Eleanor was born on October 3, 1923, in Shreveport, Louisiana, to Glen L. Williams and Margaret (Ivey) Williams.
She was married on December 14, 1952 to William F. Diersing, who preceded her in death in 2015, after celebrating over 60 years of marriage.
Eleanor graduated from Greenwood High School in Bossier Parish, LA, where she received numerous academic awards. She was also very active in the 4-H organization, winning a number of awards at the Louisiana State Fair.
She received her Registered Nursing Degree from what is now the Louisiana State University Medical Center. She worked at a number of hospitals in Shreveport and New Orleans, with increasing responsibilities. She later took a position as a nurse with the American Red Cross in Shreveport, which is how she met her husband, Bill, when he was stationed at Barksdale Air Field in Shreveport.
After their marriage, Eleanor moved with Bill to Louisville, KY, then to Lexington, KY, where she worked as a pediatric/OBGYN nurse for the University of Kentucky Medical Center. They later moved to Missouri when Bill accepted a position with the Missouri State Highway Department, first in Sikeston, then in Jefferson City. While living in Jefferson City, Eleanor worked as a nurse for the Missouri State Hospital in Fulton, she later took another nursing position with the American Red Cross, where she worked until her retirement.
Eleanor was an avid gardener, which is something she shared a strong connection with Bill. The two had several large gardens on their property, and ran a small Christmas tree farm for approximately 10 years as a small business/hobby.
Eleanor was very active in her church, the Central United Church of Christ, and made many life-long friendships there. She was also very involved in her children’s activities, as a supporter, car-pool driver, and chaperon on group trips, and she placed a strong emphasis on academic achievement.
Throughout her life, Eleanor was a strong supporter of charities and philanthropic organizations. Having worked during the polio epidemic, she was particularly focused on charities focusing on children’s health issues, such as the March of Dimes. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill. She was a devoted wife, and later devoted caregiver, and the two had a wonderful marriage. She was also preceded in death by her son, William F. Diersing, III; her parents; and her siblings, Glen L. Williams, Jr., Inez Williams, Dorothy Lafitte, Betty Patrick, and Jere Williams.
Survivors include her son, Jere Diersing (COL, U.S. Army Reserve), of San Diego, CA; her sister-in-law, Bobbi (Frey) Williams; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Services will be held at Freeman Mortuary on Monday, July 6, 2020, at 11:30 a.m., with a visitation taking place from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest by her husband and son.
Because of pandemic concerns, all attendees are asked to have a face cover (though these will be provided at the service) and to practice appropriate social distancing practices. A webcast of the funeral service will begin at 11:30 Monday for friends that are not able to attend by going to her memorial page on Freeman Mortuary’s website.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name are suggested to the American Red Cross or to the William Diersing Scholarship Fund with Unlimited Potential (formerly Neighborhood Houses) http://www.upstl.org/donate/ Her family would also like to thank Jefferson City Manor Care Center and Hospice Compassus for their wonderful care.
www.freemanmortuary.com