Condolence: To Eleanor Havens family,
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, I opened the Chanute Tribune to find the well written obituary of my long time friend, Eleanor Larson-Havens.
I always knew who Hugo and Florence Larson & family were but learned to know your mother better at Vilas High School. Then I think she moved with her family to a dairy farm east of Humboldt. We had been in Girl Reserves together at Vilas High. At the end of the school year Larsons had moved to the Humboldt location. So Eleanor invited the executive members & Miss Black, the sponsor, to the farm. We each took a bed roll and had a slumber party in the hay in the barn. The next day was Sunday so being guests of the Larsons we walked to Humboldt to attend the new Baptist church which used the new basement for their services.
Eventually it was to have a nice sanctuary and later a fellowship hall & parking lot was added. We've attended memorial services for friends & family there. My husband's oldest brother & family (Arthur & Wilma Solomon) were members.
Vilas was a small rural high school and the move meant going to a bigger school in Humboldt. She was in the same class as my husband who died July 26, 2016 at the age of 94.
Our friendship was renewed when we retired after Eugene had served 33 years as a pastor and we moved to Chanute. Eleanor enjoyed attending Humboldt high school reunions and we always had a visit. We often in retirement years exchanged Christmas letters and always enjoyed reading about her family.So Marvin, Marilyn & Norma are her special kids.
A classmate who rode the same school bus as your mother always admired your mother because she had to work so hard. Milking cows before going to school each morning was a real chore.
The obituary mentioned her sewing. I think I'm correct remembering she took her sewing machine to Papua New Guinea.
Your Grandma Florence was a good seamstress and made a new dress to wear on her 90th birthday! Your parents came from Tucson to celebrate her special day. Your mother went to their car and came back with grapefruit for us from their yard in Tucson, AZ.
Our youngest daughter & family live in Mesa, AZ. Your mother invited us to visit and she even wanted to come to Mesa & take us to Tucson.
We had received a letter after she moved to the assisted living so had that address. Sent a letter there last December but heard nothing in return so knew the situation had changed.
I am still living in my own home with the help from my oldest daughter who lives across the street. My Mesa, AZ daughter comes several times a year so Meredith can leave. I will be 94 next Feb. and of course miss Eugene. Hearing is not good and sight nearly gone in one eye but still have much to thank God for.
Am sure you'll have a very special celebration to remember your mother. She's been a good mother & grandma. Her place at church will be hard to fill. She not only invited people to church, they were invited to eat with them that day.You are in our prayers today.
Virginia Carlson Solomon

Condolence: Blessings to all of you - your mom was an awesome lady who lived life to the fullest! I have you all in prayers. I can't help but wonder if she's not making some cinnamon rolls for her family that's already in heaven or trying to sew some matching outfits for them! I still remember the blue & white striped tops she made all of us!