Eleanor J. Hadsell
1917 - 2014
Obituary
HESSTON - Eleanor J. Hadsell, 96, died Thursday, Feb. 20,
2014, in the loving presence of family at Schowalter Villa in Hesston. She was
a bright, witty, yet humble woman who had a lifelong passion for intellectual
growth and development.
Eleanor was born April 16, 1917, to parents Rose (Marik) and
Andy Pospisil in Bellaire, Ohio. They preceded her in death. She was the eldest
of four children.
Her three siblings survive: Betty (Ray) Pigman of Waterford,
Mich., Norman Pospisil of Ravenna, Ohio, and Jean (Tom) Saunders of New
Brighton, Pa.
She graduated as class valedictorian from Shadyside High
School (Ohio) and pursued her academic studies through Muskingum College and
Wayne State University, earning an MA (education). She continued studying
briefly toward a Ph.D. through Michigan State University before stopping to
focus on professional and family responsibilities.
It was through Eleanor's love of education and her career
choice, elementary teaching, that she met and fell in love with William
"Ellis" Hadsell, a fellow teacher. They married in 1942 at United
Methodist Church in Shadyside, Ohio. Eleanor and her husband taught elementary
grades for decades before retiring from the Waterford Township School District
(Mich.).
They enjoyed square dancing and camping with other members
of their square dance club. They were active in their community senior center
in Waterford and also traveled extensively, making a point of touring nearly
every major cave in the United States. She displayed a collection of their
geodes wherever she made her home in later life.
Eleanor's husband preceded her in death in 1997, after 54
years of marriage.
Eleanor and her husband were parents of two children, a son,
Gary (Connie) Hadsell of Reno, Nev., who survives, and a daughter, Beth
"Lynn" (Dennis) Carrier (deceased).
Family was extremely important to Eleanor, who was
especially close to her daughter, and later, to her granddaughter, Kerry Grosch
of Hesston, and great-granddaughter, Tami Grosch of Newton, both of whom
survive.
She relocated to Hesston to be near extended family after
her daughter died in 2001. Among other surviving family are three additional
grandchildren, including Craig Scott Hadsell of Valley Center; six additional
great-grandchildren, including Julie (Dan) Hendricks of Newton and Adam Johnson
of North Newton; four great-great-grandchildren; and numerous cousins, nieces
and nephews.
Eleanor's faith was very evident in her life, from the
tattered pages and notes she wrote in the margins of her cherished Bible to her
expressed beliefs about reuniting with loved ones in Heaven. She was a member
of Central United Methodist Church in Waterford, Mich., and regularly viewed
the televised services of First United Methodist Church, Wichita.
Eleanor was an avid reader and appreciated opportunities to
compare and contrast authors' writings in faith-related materials. She
especially enjoyed visiting with chaplains at Schowalter Villa, Newton Medical
Center, Hesston United Methodist Church and Good Shepherd Hospice.
Eleanor remained sharp and articulate through the last days
of her life. She was a strong, independent person and regularly voiced a
preference for her more independent lifestyle. She made the best of her
circumstances and found joy in the simplest things, even as her health
declined.
Eleanor cherished the view from her apartment window in
Schowalter Villa assisted living as the toddlers played outdoors at the
adjacent Intergenerational Child Development Center. She loved children and
relished opportunities to quietly celebrate their developmental successes.
Eleanor had a tender, compassionate heart: Few knew that she also quietly
prayed for the little ones who appeared most in need of supportive hugs.
Eleanor's life will be recognized locally in a memorial
service scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in the chapel at Schowalter
Villa, Hesston, with chaplains Wendy Miller and Bill Eichelberger presiding.
Cremation has taken place. Interment will be at a later date in Waterford,
Mich. Petersen Funeral Home, Newton, is handling arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving in ways that
support the spirit of Eleanor's beliefs through donating to support children
"in need of extra hugs" through the Hesston Intergenerational Child
Development Center (441 Neufeld Dr., Hesston, KS 67062) or the Heart to Heart
Child Advocacy Center (720 N. Main, Newton, KS 67114).
