Eleanor Joy (Rimmer) Stenberg, best known as "Ellie," 94, of Grayslake, Illinois, passed away on Friday, January 8, 2016, in Elkhorn, Wisconsin.  Ellie was born on March 23, 1921 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of the late James and Flora A. (Brownlie) Rimmer of Chicago and later of Gages Lake, Illinois.

Ellie was graduated from Warren Township High School in Gurnee with the Class of 1939.  She was united in marriage to Richard Stenberg, also of Gages Lake, on June 19, 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri where Richard was assigned with the Army Air Corps. They later made their home on a farm not far from Gages Lake, where Ellie became an animal lover and was often seen riding her horse along the road.  Richard preceded Ellie in death on January 8, 2000.

A talented musician and seamstress, Ellie distinguished herself in the community as a volunteer in the Woodland Elementary and Warren Township High Schools. At Woodland, she served as PTA President, taught individual brass instrument music lessons, served at "Hot Dog Day" and as a room mother.  At Warren, she served as President of the Band Parents' Association.

Ellie worked at Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago prior to marriage and returned to retire from the company, having worked as a secretary in Chemical Marketing at Abbott Park. She belonged to the Abbott Ski Club and enjoyed watersports, writing and playing bridge.

Ellie is survived by her two daughters: Jeanne (Russ) Hannula of Williams Bay, Wisconsin; and Gail Franzke-Blanchard of McHenry, Illinois. She has four grandchildren: M. Justin Franzke of McHenry, IL; Deborah (David) Jelsma of Milwaukee, WI; W. Benjamin (Shanna) Blanchard of Wadsworth, IL and Daniel Hannula of Draper, Utah. In addition, she has four great grandchildren: Dylan Franzke, Trace Franzke, Magnus Blanchard, and Jack Jelsma.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial in Ellie's name to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue (floor 17), Chicago, IL 60601-7633 (alz.org).  A private celebration of Ellie's life will be held for family members at a later date.

For online guestbook: haaselockwoodfhs.com