Eleanor L. Kilker

Eleanor L. Kilker, 90, peacefully passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2023 in Rockford, Illinois. She was born in Freeport, Illinois, daughter to Howard and Stella (Popp) Deal. She married William “Bill” Kilker on January 20, 1952; they shared 64 wonderful years of marriage before his passing in February of 2016.

Eleanor liked being active, including woodworking, book clubs, bridge, and cooking. Her family fondly remembers her Danish Kringles, German chocolate cakes, and lamb cakes at Easter. Eleanor and Bill traveled the country with their sons on family vacations. When their sons were grown, Eleanor returned to school at Milwaukee Area Technical College where she earned an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. She later worked as an elementary teacher’s aide in Connecticut when she and Bill lived there in 1981. As a life-long learner, she took classes at Rockford College when they returned to Illinois.

Their 50th anniversary was celebrated with the entire family on a Caribbean Cruise. Eleanor always looked forward to going to her Lutheran church, watching the Bears and Cubs play, and spending time with her beloved rescue Chihuahua, Lily.

She will be missed by those who loved her most, her sons David (Cheryl) and Daniel (Gail) Kilker; her grandchildren Bryce (Anna Milheim), Sarah Jean (Akash) Kansagra, Blake (Leann Moffitt), Jason (Beth) Pell, Megan (Parker) Burton and Adam (Erin Kappers) Kilker; great granddaughters Emma and Taylor Pell. She is predeceased by her husband, Bill and her daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Kilker.

A visitation will take place on Friday, December 8, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the memorial service at 11:00 a.m., followed by a light lunch in the fellowship hall at United Lutheran Church, 3630 N. Rockton Ave, Rockford, Illinois 61103. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the church. To send online condolences, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com