Eleanor
Eleanor M. (Minor) Tubergen
Eleanor Tubergen age 98 passed away Thursday, January 21, 2016 at the Butterfly Oasis Home in Kalamazoo.
She was born May 3, 1917 in Sturgis the daughter of James G. and Wanda F. Blanchard. Eleanor was the oldest of three children and spent her childhood in the Klinger lake area. She was a graduate of Sturgis High School and Western State Teachers College. In the 1960’s Eleanor then obtained her Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University. On October 6, 1939 in the home of her parents at the Blanchard Hotel near Klinger Lake, she married Emerson B. Minor who passed away in 1996. For thirty years Eleanor had taught school in various communities including Starr Elementary School in Plainwell from which she retired in 1979 after fourteen years of service. Among other things, Eleanor enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing, crocheting, planting vegetable and flower gardens, tending to her house plants as well as sending cards and writing notes of encouragement to others. On May 27, 2000 she married James L. Tubergen who survives.
Also surviving are her five children, Tad (Carol) Minor of Traverse City, Martha (Robert) Reeves of Portage, Tom (Melinda) Minor of Tecumseh, Rev. Dan (Jolene) Minor of Otsego and Mary (Steve) DeMann of Martin; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Rev. Emerson B. Minor and brothers, Donald H. Blanchard and Dick E. Blanchard.
Friends may visit with Eleanor’s family from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Winkel Funeral Home, 207 E. Allegan St., Otsego.
A Service of Thanksgiving for her life will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at the Otsego United Methodist Church, 223 E. Allegan St., Otsego, with Pastor Joe Shaler officiating.
Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell, a luncheon will follow.
Contributions in memory of Eleanor may be made to the Otsego United Methodist Church for the new piano fund.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Eleanor M. (Minor) Tubergen
Condolence Messages
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
January 23, 2016 at 12:16 pm
We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know that we are thinking off all of your family. Your Mom was a very sweet lady and we know that she will be missed by a whole lot of people. Hoping your fond memories will help you through your grief in the coming days, weeks, and months. Please take care now.
Reply
Daniel Search
January 23, 2016 at 7:08 pm
So sorry for your loss and I will keep you all in my prayers. Mrs. Minor (Tubergen) was a blessing as a teacher in school and in the church.
Reply
Anne Carlyle
January 23, 2016 at 7:18 pm
Heaven indeed has a new Angel. I am blessed to have known and loved this wonderful and beautiful lady. God welcomes her and holds her tenderly in His arms.
My deepest sympathy and love,
Anne
Reply
Craig and Lorna Sisson
January 23, 2016 at 7:56 pm
Our sympathy to all of Eleanor’s family:
Eleanor’s smile always lit up a room. She was a woman of wonderful kindness and grace. She will be missed by all of us who knew her.
May God give your family comfort and peace in the many wonderful memories and love that she has left you with.
Sorry wer are unable to be there, we will certainly be their in spirit.
In Christ’s Love,
Craig and Lorna
Reply
Jill Flegal
January 23, 2016 at 8:20 pm
With heartfelt sympathy.
Reply
Darl and Joyce Gilliland
January 23, 2016 at 8:38 pm
Eleanor was a sweet and caring person. It was a privilege to know her and her family and see that beautiful smile that lit up a room. She was always encouraging and so appreciative for everything. When she was able to attend church she always thanked me for my music. We pray that our Heavenly Father surrounds you all with love and comfort through the coming days. We are so sorry that we will not be there for her celebration but will be keeping you all in our prayers. Sending our love and sympathy.
Reply
Mary Flegal
January 23, 2016 at 10:01 pm
Dear Mary and Steve, and all of Eleanor’s family, my deepest sympathy in your loss. How wonderful that you had her for all those years. What lovely memories you must have to treasure and she will live on in your hearts. With loving thoughts, Mary
Reply
Marilyn Nelson
January 24, 2016 at 11:11 am
To Aunt Eleanor’s family: my prayers are with you at this time. I am honored that Aunt Eleanor’s day of birth is the same as mine. She was a wonderful sweet lady and I will always cherish the times we were in her presence. She is with the Lord now and other loved ones; for this we are so grateful. I can not be in Otsego in presence but I will be there in spirit. The Lord be with you at this time; God bless you all.
Reply
Linda Wakefield
January 24, 2016 at 1:16 pm
My deepest sympathy to the entire family. Eleanor was a favorite of my father-in-law, Dave Wakefield, and I can imagine him welcoming her home. I will keep you all in my prayers as you go through this difficult time.
Reply
Valerie & Jerry Sisson
January 24, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Our hearts are with Aunt Eleanor’s family. We remember her loving smile and compassion for people and miss her at our Minor reunions. Some day we will be united with her and Uncle Emerson.
Lovingly, Valerie & Jerry
Reply
Ken & Yvonne Trout
January 24, 2016 at 4:25 pm
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146:5
Reply
Patricia Wilcox
January 24, 2016 at 9:12 pm
What a blessing to have known and shared special times with such a Beautiful Lady!! She always shared a lovely smile, no matter where she was. She enjoyed her years as a teacher. She was so loving and caring. What a beautiful example of God’s love here on earth!! My heart goes out to all of you as you deal with her loss. May God encircle you with His love and presence in this difficult time. I am sorry I cannot be there as you Celebrate her life!! Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you!
In love and sympathy,
Pat Wilcox
Reply
Patsy & Bill Switzer
January 25, 2016 at 10:59 am
Our thoughts and sympathy are with you.
Reply
Charley and Illana Hoglund
January 25, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Aunt Eleanor’s family.
What a kind, loving and considerate lady she was. You all are so fortunate to have had her with you for so many years. What a blessing she was to everyone. May the Lord’s peace and comfort be with you
now and the coming days. We will all get to see her and your dad when we get to heaven.
Love to you all,
Charley and Illana Hoglund
Reply
Dan & Melinda Marsh
January 26, 2016 at 9:31 am
Our condolences to all the family. It’s a tribute of her legacy that she has brought so many wonderful memories to live on in your hearts.
Reply
Jerry and Marilyn (Welcher) Fenner
January 26, 2016 at 9:45 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Reply
Donna Dill
February 1, 2016 at 1:24 am
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother and Friend. She was a wonderful person and done a wonderful job of raising her family. I will always remember the Minor family during their years
and mine in Watervliet Cherish all your good times as a family..
You’re in my thoughts and prayers. My love to all, Donna Dill
Reply
Judy VanDenBerg
February 2, 2016 at 8:29 pm
So sorry for your loss. Wonderful teacher, Beautiful woman…
Reply
Josephine Pape
February 4, 2016 at 11:12 am
God has taken another angel. What a special lady. She is now teaching the little ones in Heaven. How blessed you all were to have her for so many years. She will truly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Reply
James Yates
February 10, 2016 at 10:05 am
Sorry to read about your mother. I remember her and your dad, from when they served in Watervliet, he in the Methodist church and she teaching 2nd grade. Both were wonderful people.
Jamie Yates
Reply
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She was born May 3, 1917 in Sturgis the daughter of James G. and Wanda F. Blanchard. Eleanor was the oldest of three children and spent her childhood in the Klinger lake area. She was a graduate of Sturgis High School and Western State Teachers College. In the 1960’s Eleanor then obtained her Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University. On October 6, 1939 in the home of her parents at the Blanchard Hotel near Klinger Lake, she married Emerson B. Minor who passed away in 1996. For thirty years Eleanor had taught school in various communities including Starr Elementary School in Plainwell from which she retired in 1979 after fourteen years of service. Among other things, Eleanor enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing, crocheting, planting vegetable and flower gardens, tending to her house plants as well as sending cards and writing notes of encouragement to others. On May 27, 2000 she married James L. Tubergen who survives.
Also surviving are her five children, Tad (Carol) Minor of Traverse City, Martha (Robert) Reeves of Portage, Tom (Melinda) Minor of Tecumseh, Rev. Dan (Jolene) Minor of Otsego and Mary (Steve) DeMann of Martin; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Rev. Emerson B. Minor and brothers, Donald H. Blanchard and Dick E. Blanchard.
Friends may visit with Eleanor’s family from 2-4 P.M. and 6-8 P.M. Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Winkel Funeral Home, 207 E. Allegan St., Otsego.
A Service of Thanksgiving for her life will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at the Otsego United Methodist Church, 223 E. Allegan St., Otsego, with Pastor Joe Shaler officiating.
Burial will follow at Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell, a luncheon will follow.
Contributions in memory of Eleanor may be made to the Otsego United Methodist Church for the new piano fund.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
.
Offer Condolence for the family of Eleanor M. (Minor) Tubergen
Condolence Messages
Jerry and Judy Shumaker
January 23, 2016 at 12:16 pm
We are so very sorry for your loss. Please know that we are thinking off all of your family. Your Mom was a very sweet lady and we know that she will be missed by a whole lot of people. Hoping your fond memories will help you through your grief in the coming days, weeks, and months. Please take care now.
Reply
Daniel Search
January 23, 2016 at 7:08 pm
So sorry for your loss and I will keep you all in my prayers. Mrs. Minor (Tubergen) was a blessing as a teacher in school and in the church.
Reply
Anne Carlyle
January 23, 2016 at 7:18 pm
Heaven indeed has a new Angel. I am blessed to have known and loved this wonderful and beautiful lady. God welcomes her and holds her tenderly in His arms.
My deepest sympathy and love,
Anne
Reply
Craig and Lorna Sisson
January 23, 2016 at 7:56 pm
Our sympathy to all of Eleanor’s family:
Eleanor’s smile always lit up a room. She was a woman of wonderful kindness and grace. She will be missed by all of us who knew her.
May God give your family comfort and peace in the many wonderful memories and love that she has left you with.
Sorry wer are unable to be there, we will certainly be their in spirit.
In Christ’s Love,
Craig and Lorna
Reply
Jill Flegal
January 23, 2016 at 8:20 pm
With heartfelt sympathy.
Reply
Darl and Joyce Gilliland
January 23, 2016 at 8:38 pm
Eleanor was a sweet and caring person. It was a privilege to know her and her family and see that beautiful smile that lit up a room. She was always encouraging and so appreciative for everything. When she was able to attend church she always thanked me for my music. We pray that our Heavenly Father surrounds you all with love and comfort through the coming days. We are so sorry that we will not be there for her celebration but will be keeping you all in our prayers. Sending our love and sympathy.
Reply
Mary Flegal
January 23, 2016 at 10:01 pm
Dear Mary and Steve, and all of Eleanor’s family, my deepest sympathy in your loss. How wonderful that you had her for all those years. What lovely memories you must have to treasure and she will live on in your hearts. With loving thoughts, Mary
Reply
Marilyn Nelson
January 24, 2016 at 11:11 am
To Aunt Eleanor’s family: my prayers are with you at this time. I am honored that Aunt Eleanor’s day of birth is the same as mine. She was a wonderful sweet lady and I will always cherish the times we were in her presence. She is with the Lord now and other loved ones; for this we are so grateful. I can not be in Otsego in presence but I will be there in spirit. The Lord be with you at this time; God bless you all.
Reply
Linda Wakefield
January 24, 2016 at 1:16 pm
My deepest sympathy to the entire family. Eleanor was a favorite of my father-in-law, Dave Wakefield, and I can imagine him welcoming her home. I will keep you all in my prayers as you go through this difficult time.
Reply
Valerie & Jerry Sisson
January 24, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Our hearts are with Aunt Eleanor’s family. We remember her loving smile and compassion for people and miss her at our Minor reunions. Some day we will be united with her and Uncle Emerson.
Lovingly, Valerie & Jerry
Reply
Ken & Yvonne Trout
January 24, 2016 at 4:25 pm
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God. Psalm 146:5
Reply
Patricia Wilcox
January 24, 2016 at 9:12 pm
What a blessing to have known and shared special times with such a Beautiful Lady!! She always shared a lovely smile, no matter where she was. She enjoyed her years as a teacher. She was so loving and caring. What a beautiful example of God’s love here on earth!! My heart goes out to all of you as you deal with her loss. May God encircle you with His love and presence in this difficult time. I am sorry I cannot be there as you Celebrate her life!! Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you!
In love and sympathy,
Pat Wilcox
Reply
Patsy & Bill Switzer
January 25, 2016 at 10:59 am
Our thoughts and sympathy are with you.
Reply
Charley and Illana Hoglund
January 25, 2016 at 2:30 pm
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of Aunt Eleanor’s family.
What a kind, loving and considerate lady she was. You all are so fortunate to have had her with you for so many years. What a blessing she was to everyone. May the Lord’s peace and comfort be with you
now and the coming days. We will all get to see her and your dad when we get to heaven.
Love to you all,
Charley and Illana Hoglund
Reply
Dan & Melinda Marsh
January 26, 2016 at 9:31 am
Our condolences to all the family. It’s a tribute of her legacy that she has brought so many wonderful memories to live on in your hearts.
Reply
Jerry and Marilyn (Welcher) Fenner
January 26, 2016 at 9:45 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Reply
Donna Dill
February 1, 2016 at 1:24 am
I’m sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother and Friend. She was a wonderful person and done a wonderful job of raising her family. I will always remember the Minor family during their years
and mine in Watervliet Cherish all your good times as a family..
You’re in my thoughts and prayers. My love to all, Donna Dill
Reply
Judy VanDenBerg
February 2, 2016 at 8:29 pm
So sorry for your loss. Wonderful teacher, Beautiful woman…
Reply
Josephine Pape
February 4, 2016 at 11:12 am
God has taken another angel. What a special lady. She is now teaching the little ones in Heaven. How blessed you all were to have her for so many years. She will truly be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.
Reply
James Yates
February 10, 2016 at 10:05 am
Sorry to read about your mother. I remember her and your dad, from when they served in Watervliet, he in the Methodist church and she teaching 2nd grade. Both were wonderful people.
Jamie Yates
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
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Comment
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Name
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*
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