Eleanor Louise Grams

Eleanor L. Grams passed away and went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 1, 2020 at the age of 93. Eleanor was born December 13, 1926 in Benton Harbor, MI to August and Lydia Menchinger, the oldest of three children. At an early age she learned to help do things around her parent’s farm, and in time became quite adept at moving livestock, driving a tractor and the other necessary things required to keep a farm running. She had a great love of music and learned to play first piano, then organ. Mom also enjoyed teaching her younger sister, Shirley and helping her to learn as they grew up together. Her youngest sister, Nancy, came along later and Mom was able to set examples as an adult that Nancy could use during her life. Mom enjoyed attending Benton Harbor Public Schools and excelled in her studies, becoming proficient at bookkeeping, which would help later in running the family business after getting married to the love of her life, Joel G. Grams. She had accepted Joel’s proposal of marriage and they became engaged before Joel left as a member of the Army Corp of Engineers for duty in the European War Theater. Eleanor graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1943 and went to work for Ross Carrier in Benton Harbor during the war years, like so many women and men did stateside to support the Allied troops overseas and secure victory over the Axis forces. She was also waiting for Joel to come home from Europe so they could be married and start a family, build a small business and have a long, happy and wonderful life together for over fifty-six years. After three years of waiting, not knowing if they might ever see each other again due to the war, expressing their feelings only by mail, they were both ready to get married! Eleanor and Joel were wed January 12, 1946. With Dad working first at Sears, then starting a home construction company, they started to build a family that resulted in three children, Donna, Kathy and Joel. Mom was in charge of the “home front” and she kept a tidy, well-run home with delicious meals and fantastic baked desserts always in supply. Mom was active in her children’s public-school education, involved in the PTA and other school support organizations. She helped her children as they developed the love for learning and knowledge that she had always had. Mom and Dad loved to take the kids on vacation, with Dad driving and Mom managing the three kids in the back seat! With trips west to California, north to the Upper Peninsula and Canada, east to Washington D.C. and south to Florida, the family learned they lived in a beautiful nation.As Dad developed their business, Mom kept the books, managed accounts and supplemented Dad’s design talents with her own abilities in decorating and home style and well, just plain hard work! They were a successful team, providing beautiful homes to many families in the Twin Cities area. As Dad transitioned from active construction to the real estate business and with the kids grown up, Mom went to work as an executive assistant with Whirlpool for a number of years and enjoyed her time there. Eleanor was a lifelong and faithful member of the First Church of God, Saint Joseph, first by growing up in a loving and faith-centered family, and then providing that love to her children. She was active in all aspects of church life including mission outreach and Bible study. With her beautiful voice she added enthusiasm as she sang in various choirs and played piano and organ for services. She and Dad enjoyed many groups in the church, especially the Prime Time activities. Mom and Dad developed lifelong friendships with other church families and dedicated much of their time and energy to serve the church in many other capacities. The worship and fellowship that First Church of God provided was always central to their lives, along with the love for their family. In the last few years, Mom developed a very special and meaningful friendship with her caregiver and companion, Laurie Springs, developing a bond that was quite remarkable. Our family wishes to thank Laurie for all her help, humor, support and sharing of faith with Mom. It meant the world to our family. The family would also like to thank Caring Circle Hospice and the staff and guest assistants at Caretel Inns for providing care to mom over the last year. Eleanor is survived by her children; Donna (Richard) Sharp, Kathleen (James) Cena, and Joel (Judith) Grams; granddaughter, Susan (Jacob) Nieten; her sisters, Shirley Zick and Nancy Case; and brother-in-law, Stanley (Charlotte) Grams. Also, nieces and nephews, Cheryl, Debbie, Garry, Matthew, Jason, James, Sandy, Lois Ann and Amelia. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Joel G. Grams; parents, August and Lydia Menchinger; brothers-in-law, Harry Zick and Steven Case and sister and brother-in-law, Estella and Frank Sellars; brother-in-law, Allen B. Grams and sister-in-law, Jane Grams and nephew, Terry Grams. On Wednesday, June 10, 2020, the family will receive guests at Starks and Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI. Visitation will be from 10:30AM – 12:00PM. A private family service will follow after the visitation, with Pastors Bob Moss and Bob Confer officiating. Due to the Coronavirus threat, the family is requesting all visitors to the chapel wear an effective face mask and practice appropriate physical distancing. While we want to honor our mother, we want all to be safe while doing so. Starks and Menchinger staff will assist with visitation limits. Immediate family members will attend a private interment later at Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of God Endowment Fund. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for the family may do so at: www.starks-menchinger.com.