Eleanor Mae Thompson

Eleanor "Ellie" Mae Peters was born on February 2, 1936 in Danforth to parents, Herman and Margaret Peters. She had three siblings, Irma Howe of Danforth, Harold (Sarah) Peters of Clifton and Marvin (Carol) Peters of Danforth, and were all born and raised on the family farm.

Ellie attended grade school in Danforth. After graduation from Gilman High, Ellie worked at AO Smith in Kankakee. She met Gerald "Jerry" Thompson, then stationed at Chanute Air Force Base. They were married on December 19, 1959 and their marriage brought them to Las Vegas, Peoria and Tucson. Jerry and Ellie were active in church, sold homes together, enjoyed travel, family picnics, Couple's Club, and dancing! When Jerry retired from the Air Force, he began selling homes and Ellie quickly joined him. They were the pride of DM Realty, Ellie continuing, after Jerry died in 1978, for nearly forty years.

She was mother to two sons, Scott and Kip (Beth). Ellie found joy in her grandchildren: Kyle (Christina), Kory (Krystina), Kyra (Jean) and Katelyn (Katelyn); and twelve great-grandchildren!

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and one brother-in-law, Ron Howe.

She went home to the Lord and her Jerry on January 30, 2023. A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 8, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at New Spirit Lutheran Church in Tucson and a graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. in Danforth Cemetery.

In lieu of memorials, the family suggests canned food donations.

Local arrangements are by the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.

Please share a memory of Ellie at knappfuneralhomes.com.