Eleanor E. Mehlhoff, 90, of Garrison, N.D., passed away into the arms of God on October 1, 2024. Eleanor was born November 16, 1933, to Bert and Alvina (Leno) Torno. She grew up on a farm in the Max area and attended Crystal School through eighth grade.

As a young woman, Eleanor went dancing on a double date where she met Edmund Mehlhoff. Eventually, she and Edmund began dating and were united in marriage on October 14, 1951, after the harvest was completed. She and Edmund were the proud parents of Terry, Barry, Bonnie and Jan. Eleanor was a loving wife and mother who took great pride in caring for their home, helping in the field when needed and driving the rural mail route when Edmund was called to be in the field.

From a young age, Eleanor had an ear for music. She could hear a tune and then play it on piano, keyboard or accordion. Throughout the years, she played with the Garrison Jammers, Friends Band and the Harvest States accordion group, as well as the Norsk Høstfest each fall. She also played music with a group of musicians at nursing homes and care centers throughout the area.

Eleanor was the happiest when family was around. She had a deep love of cooking and baking and always found that a meal was a great excuse to bring people together. Breakfast at her house was always waffles, and fresh cookies could always be found. Her grandchildren will tell you that no night was complete without Grandma trying to feed you more food or "how about a root beer float". And, of course, no one left her house without a plate of treats to take home.

Eleanor was a strong woman with a deep faith. After Edmund's death, she sold the farmstead and moved into Garrison. A number of years later she moved into the Meadows Assisted Living. In these years she was an avid card player, hanging out with her card-playing crew until the wee hours of the night several nights a week. When Eleanor wasn't playing cards, she was sewing. Her quilts were truly works of art. For years she donated a show piece quilt to the Camp of the Cross Quilt Auction. She was also committed to making a quilt for each grandchild and great-grandchild.

Eleanor was supported in her Christ-centered faith life by the people and pastors of St. Paul Lutheran Church. She was an active quilter at the church who helped serve in the kitchen and in other roles throughout the church.

Eleanor is survived by her children: Terry (Cindy) Mehlhoff, Barry (Nancy) Mehlhoff, Tom DeHaven and Jan (Mark) Narum; grandchildren Cierra, Liz, Kristi, Alicia, Ryan, Bill, Ben, Jenny, Chris, Brandon and Tyler; 16 great grandchildren; and sister-in-laws Geri Torno, Arlene Mehlhoff and Laura Mehlhoff.

Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, October 4, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Garrison, ND. Burial to follow at the Garrison Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4:30-6:00 PM on Thursday, October 3, 2024, at Thompson Funeral Home, Garrison, ND.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her loving husband, Edmund, of 56 years; parents; in-laws Jacob and Amelia Mehlhoff; daughter Bonnie DeHaven; great-grandson Jaxon Moleski; brothers John Torno and Lawrence Torno; and numerous brother- and sister-in-laws.

To view a livestream of the service, go to www.facebook.com/garrisonthompsonfh/ or to the Thompson Funeral Home-Garrison, ND Facebook page.