Obituary of Eleanor Karin Seegren

Eleanor Karin (Stohl) Seegren, 89, passed away on November 29, 2018 at Vista East Hospital in Waukegan, Illinois.

Born November 16, 1929 to Swedish parents in Chicago, she excelled in school and graduated from Roosevelt High School. During her first year attending Wright Junior College, she met Walter R. Seegren, her late husband of 58 years. While Wally was serving in the Army in Korea, Eleanor obtained a teaching degree and taught elementary school. After his return, they moved to Winthrop Harbor where Wally started building homes at the edge of Lake Michigan. First attending Immanuel Baptist Church in Waukegan, they soon joined a small group as co-founders of Bonnie Brook Baptist Church near the Waukegan airport. Through the mentoring of friends at church, Eleanor became involved in Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF), and hosted a Good News Club in her home for neighborhood children. She served on the local CEF committee and eventually became director of the Northeast Illinois CEF chapter. Her professional career included: third grade teacher at Spring Bluff Elementary in Winthrop Harbor, art teacher at Our Lady of Humility Catholic School, and substitute teacher (until age 79!) for several Lake County school districts; activity director at Crown Manor Nursing Home in Zion, Terrace Nursing Home in Waukegan, and Sheridan Health Care Center in Zion; caseworker for Illinois Department of Public Aid; and childcare referral counselor for YWCA in Waukegan. She used her creative skills to make specialty craft items for teaching children, and was known for the kitchen Tidy Towels she designed. But most of all, she was known for her cheerful greetings and engaging conversations, which often ended by her giving a copy of the latest Our Daily Bread devotional booklet.

Surviving are her daughter Kris Seegren of Beach Park, her son Randy Seegren of Zion, and her son and daughter-in-law Ken & Janet Seegren of Tempe, Arizona. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Walter, her brother Stanley, and her sister Ruth. On Saturday morning, December 29, 2018, friends are invited to a time of visitation beginning at 9:30 AM in the Lloyd Chapel at Christ Community Church – 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion, IL 60099. A Celebration of Life service honoring Eleanor will be held at 10:00 AM, with Luncheon immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Eleanor may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship by mail: CEF of Northeast Illinois, 888 E. Belvidere Road, Ste. 303, Grayslake, IL 60030. Online donations: www.cefonline.com/get-involved/donate/where-needed-most/ (Click the box under “Tribute Gift” and enter “Eleanor Seegren” in the blank field.)