Eleanor Louise (Mundt) Mahnken

Eleanor Louise (Mundt) Mahnken, 101, of rural Pittsburg, KS, passed away at 4:00 a.m. Monday, April 10, at the Pittsburg Care and Rehab facility in Pittsburg.

She was born January 3, 1922, in Pittsburg, KS, to John L. and Louise (Grotheer) Mundt. She grew up in Pittsburg surrounded with family, cousins and friends and graduated from College High School, Pittsburg, in 1938. She was united in marriage to Alfred F. Mahnken on April 6, 1947, in Pittsburg. He preceded her in death on April 15, 2010. She was a life-long member of Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsburg, and for many years was active in the Altar Guild, Lutheran Women's Missionary League, and Zion quilters. She, along with Hilma Hoffman and Mildred Hill, were the last of the Zion quilters group and could be found quilting at Zion every week for many years. She was a long-time 4-H leader and did alterations for J.C. Penney, Pittsburg. Eleanor was truly a Proverbs 31 woman who feared the Lord. She was known as the "egg lady" and had an egg route for many years in Pittsburg, grew produce in her garden, and gathered blackberries in the wild to make jams. Her happiest times were with family and friends for a Sunday dinner and her time in her flower and vegetable garden. She loved quilting, gardening, flowers, her grandkids and great-grand kids and playing cards. She made many quilts for her children and grandchildren. Her family knew her as a fierce competitor in playing rummy and she enjoyed the opportunity for a card game. She was known for her friendliness to all, remembering friends with visits, greeting cards, and cookies. Her family and friends knew they could stop by at any time to see her and coffee and cookies would be available. Her most precious gift was her warm smile and generous giving.

Survivors include her children-John (Lois Anne) of Fort Scott; Kathryn (Larry) Richard, rural Arma; Ruth (Dean) Lauterbach, Wichita; Donna Pittaway, Kansas City, KS; Lois (Tim) Ziesenis, Frontenac; Carl (Hope) Mahnken, rural Pittsburg; 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Alfred, sisters Erna Jakolat and Olinda Mundt, brother Raymond, and son-in-law Dave Pittaway.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13, at Brenner Mortuary, with funeral services to be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 14, at Zion Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Pittsburg. The family suggests memorials to Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund or The Lutheran Hour local broadcast (c/o Zion Lutheran). These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E 4th St., Pittsburg, KS. The family would like to thank the staff at Pittsburg Care and Rehab Center and Harry Hynes Hospice for their excellent care of Eleanor during her last days. Arrangements are under the direction of the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS.

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