Elisabeth McEathron

Elisabeth D. McEathron (Wille), age 79, of St. Paul Park, MN, passed away on February 7th, 2020. Elisabeth was born on February 3rd, 1941 at the family farm on South Robert Street in St. Paul. As the only daughter of John and Alma Wille, she was equally teased and treasured by her five brothers: Clifford, Richard, Chester, Lawrence, and Skip.

Elisabeth graduated from South St. Paul High School in 1958. While working at Western Life Insurance Company, she met and began dating Berton. They married in 1963 and made their home on Grey Cloud Island. As a young wife and mother, she was an excellent homemaker, sewed clothing, tended gardens, canned fruits and vegetables, and made dandelion wine. For a short time, she was a teacher’s aide at Newport Elementary School, followed then by a long career as a real estate agent with Merrill Lynch. After retirement, she worked part-time at From the Heart gift shop in Woodbury. In addition to spending winters exploring the southern part of the US, she and Bert also took memorable trips to the Caribbean, Scotland and Alaska. Summer weekends were spent at the family cabin in Wisconsin. Elisabeth was a life-long art and craft enthusiast who hosted painting groups in her flower gardens, crocheted, knitted, wove baskets, and bought and sold antiques. She took pleasure in being outdoors and delighted in the wonder of nature. She was very involved with her church and found comfort in daily devotions. Her greatest joy was family, especially her grandsons. We are comforted knowing that she loved us all very deeply.

Elisabeth will remain in the hearts of her loving husband Berton; children Julie and Peter (Mary Jane); grandsons Kylin and Kennan; brothers Chester and Skip (Sandy); sister-in-law Nyla; loving in-laws on Bert’s side; many treasured nieces and nephews; cherished long-time friends; and many friends of Julie and Peter whom she adored. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers Clifford, Richard and Lawrence; sisters-in-law Carol and Dawn.

Alzheimer’s disease is a formidable foe, but it does not define the person nor get the final say. We will remember the wonderful person whose words were always those of support and encouragement. She led by example how to be playful, creative, adventurous and resilient. A great listener and best friend, she impressed upon us the importance of service to others and caring for one another. Perfect peace is now fully hers.

A heartfelt thank-you to Home Instead care-companions, the staff at Joy House, and Our Lady of Peace hospice care, for all that you do.

We will celebrate her life at 11:00am on March 7th at All Saints Lutheran Church, 8100 Belden Blvd, Cottage Grove, MN 55016. Visitation one hour prior to service. A private interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Rakhma Joy House , which serves those with dementia and memory loss.