Eleanor A. Bahl, 98, Minot, died Saturday, December 31, 2011 in a Minot nursing home.

Eleanor was born July 8, 1913, in Lidgerwood, ND to Charles and Mary (Helmer) Zimmerman. She was raised and educated in Douglas, graduating as Valedictorian of the class of 1929. Following graduation, she moved to Minot, where she was employed as a waitress.

Eleanor was joined in marriage to Ronald Bahl on September 6, 1937, in Minot. They made their home in Minot their entire lives, with the exception of a two year stay in Greely, Colorado in the early 1940's.

After raising six children, Eleanor returned to employment as a cook for Little Flower Catholic School in 1965. She retired in the late 1970's.

Their retirement years were filled with traveling and gardening with a special care of flowers. It also left time for other life hobbies; bird watching, cooking and knitting, a talent that she collected many ribbons for over the years.

Ronald died on April 10, 2004. She had been a resident of Trinity Homes since May 2010.

Eleanor was a charter member of Little Flower Catholic Church, the Confraternity of Christian Mothers and the Sweet 16 Homemakers Group, all of Minot. She will be deeply missed by all who share in her precious life.

Her loving family includes her sons, Mark (Jo) Bahl and Kirk (Sandy) Bahl, both of Minot; daughters, Marcia (Stan) Walljasper, Ankeny, IA, Colette (Terrence) Kroeten, Fremont, NE and Renee (Brian) Johnson, Minot, ND; Eighteen Grandchildren, David Johnson, Deb Schaefer, Bryan Curry, Daniel Johnson, Michelle Watkiss, Donna Moretti, Brenda Newton, Breanna Koval, Brandon Curry, Jon Bahl, Alex Bahl, Landon Bahl, Mikel Bahl, Grayson Bahl, Nicholas Bahl, Kim Bahl, Ethan Bahl, Mason Bahl and Alejandra Johnson (Steven); Nine Great-Grandchildren, Ryan Johnson, Amanda Johnson, Aiden Watkiss, Delaney Watkiss, Laura Johnson, Lilah Newton, Josie Moretti, Tenley Moretti and Michael Moretti; son-in-law, Edward Johnson, Seattle, WA and several nieces and nephews.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ronald, infant son, David, daughter, Jeanne Johnson, grandson, Steven Johnson and sisters, Harriet Zimmerman, Lillian Zimmerman, Frances Miller and Irene Rogers and brother, John Zimmerman.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2012 at Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot.

Recitation of the Rosary: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2011 at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.

Visitation: Tuesday, January 3, 2011 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers and plants, memorials are preferred to Little Flower Catholic Church, Minot.