Eleanor Vadnais, 80, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother of Fargo, formerly of Minot, died Saturday, September 27, 2008, in a Fargo hospital.

Eleanor May Kalmbach was born April 12, 1928, on a farm in Lakeside Township of Burke County, near Norma, ND, the daughter of Chris and Anna (Folkert) Kalmbach. She attended Lakeside Country School and Kenmare High School.

Eleanor was united in marriage to William Vadnais on September 16, 1947, in Bowbells, ND. Through the years, Eleanor enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading and playing cards. Eleanor was an excellent painter. William died in 1980.

Surviving family includes: Son, Dennis (Kathy) Vadnais, Kansas City, KS; Daughter, Cindy (Joe) Joerger, Henning, MN; Grandchildren: Matthew (Mary Ann) Vadnais, Columbus, OH, Joshua Vadnais, Mendota Heights, MN, David (Kara) Joerger, Memphis, TN, Blaine (Kyla) Joerger, Richfield, MN, Jeff Joerger, St. Paul, MN, Rebecca Joerger, Sioux Falls, SD, and William Joerger, Henning, MN; Great-Grandchildren: August Vandais, Columbus, OH, Alli and Kiana Joerger, Memphis, TN, Bryce and Kiersti Joerger, Richfield, MN and Grady Joerger, St. Paul, MN; Brothers: Ed (Mavis) Bremerton, WA, Bob (Rose) Neosho, MO and Bud (Donna) Kalmbach, Minot, ND; Sisters, LaVonne (Keith) Emerson, Austin, TX, Shirley Shipman, Minot, ND and Carolyn (Bob) Swanson, Tolley, ND and many nieces, nephews, and cousins throughout the United States.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son, Leslie Dean, brothers, Marvin, Les, and Herb, and two nephews.

The family extends its sincere appreciation to the doctors and staff at Merit Care that provided excellent care to Eleanor.

Funeral: Tuesday, September 30, 2008, at 2:30 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Minot.
Visitation: Monday, September 29, 2008, from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home of Minot.
Memorials: Memorials are preferred to the Arthritis Foundation - PO Box 96280 Washington, D.C. 20090-628.