August 23, 1929 – April 1, 2023
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (Eleanor’s confirmation verse)
Eleanor Caroline (nee Senne) Langefeld was born on August 23, 1929, the oldest daughter of Rev. Anton B. and Esther (nee Mueller) Senne, in Coffeyville, Kansas. She was baptized and later confirmed by her father. She was an excellent student in the one-room school at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, perhaps because she often listened in on the lessons of the older students.
Eleanor graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in Coffeyville in 1947, attended St. John’s College in Winfield, Kansas the following year, and then began the nursing program at Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated in May 1951 as a registered nurse.
Eleanor met Wilfred C. (Bill) Langefeld during her third year as a nursing student. He was a fourth-year student at Concordia Theological Seminary. They became engaged in the spring, following their graduations. Eleanor then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska where she worked at St. Elizabeth Hospital until her marriage to Bill in December 1951. They were married by her father at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Snyder, Nebraska, where her father served as pastor. Bill was working at Concordia Teachers College. Eleanor was a devoted wife and mother who dedicated her life to her family. Together, they raised five children. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, classical music, and making large batches of cinnamon rolls.
Bill preceded Eleanor in death on August 1, 2000. Eleanor moved to Stow, Ohio in the summer of 2001 and then to Lacede Groves Retirement Community in St. Louis in the fall of 2010 where she lived the remainder of her days. She passed away at age 93, surrounded by her family. She was a kind and gentle woman who touched the lives of many people.
Eleanor is survived by her five children and their spouses: Richard (Dee) Langefeld, Lois (Rick) Kolbe, Dale (Rhonda) Langefeld, Carl (Pam) Langefeld, and Jan (Chuck) Martel. She is survived by her three siblings: Geraldine Becker, Elaine (Bill) Jeude, and Edgar Senne. She is also survived by thirteen grandchildren (Andrew Langefeld, David Langefeld, Jessica (Aaron) Rodgers, Steve Kolbe, Allison Kolbe, Kristen Langefeld, Jennifer Langefeld, Adrienne (Jon) Kern, Robert Langefeld, Daniel Langefeld, Hannah (Bjorn) Olson, Maddie (Kevin) Trahan, and Tyler Martel) and eleven great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Eleanor is safely home with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Funeral services will be held at Salem Lutheran Church at 8343 Gravois Road in St. Louis, Missouri at 11am on April 11, 2023 with visitation at the church from 9:45 until 10:45. Committal and Interment will be in Seward, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to LCMS World Relief and Human Care or the Benevolent Fund at Laclede Groves Retirement Community.
Kutis Affton Service