Eleanor O'Neill

Eleanor I. O'Neill, 99, of Waukon, IA, died Saturday, May 1, 2021, at her home. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, May 12th, at 11:00 AM at IC Catholic Church Wexford in rural Lansing, IA, with Fr. Sean Smith, Fr, John Moser, Fr. Donald Hawes, Rev. Msgr. Ed Lechtenberg, and Rev. Msgr. Cletus Hawes officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may greet the family from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Tuesday at Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon, where there will be a 3:30 PM scripture service and a 7:00 PM rosary. A visitation will also be held one hour before the service on Wednesday at the church. Social distancing and wearing of face masks are encouraged. Memorials may be directed to Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care in Waukon and to Winneshiek Medical Center Home Health and Hospice in Decorah, IA.

Eleanor Irene O'Neill was born August 16, 1921, on her parents' farm in Wexford, IA, rural Allamakee County, the daughter of Michael and Mary (Brennan) Mullarkey. She was baptized and confirmed at IC Catholic Church Wexford. Eleanor attended Wexford country school, Immaculate Conception Catholic School, and graduated from Lansing High School. Following graduation, Eleanor taught at rural country schools before moving to Dubuque, IA, for a couple of years, where she worked at Hartig Drug. On May 16, 1946, she married Steve O'Neill at IC Church Wexford. They farmed together and raised their family in the Wexford area before moving to Harpers Ferry in 1986. After Steve's death in 1998, Eleanor was a greeter at Northgate Care Center in Waukon, IA, and moved to town in 2001.

Her faith was very important to her; she was a member of IC Church Wexford, where she was involved with the Rosary Society and Prayer Shawl Ministry, and was also a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon. Eleanor belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary in Harpers Ferry as well. She enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, spending time with her family, and following her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's activities.

Survivors include her children: John (Mary) O'Neill of Lansing, Jim (Sue) O'Neill of Waukon, Mary (Jim) Winters of Waukon, and Pat (Sally) O'Neill of Harpers Ferry; nine grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and a brother Carl (Mona) Mullarkey of Lansing. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Steve; a grandson Joe O'Neill; great-grandchild Christian O'Neill; two brothers: William and Leo (Marcella) Mullarkey; and four sisters: Evelyn (Jimmy) Delaney, Leonette (Francis) Kernan, Marguerite (Joe) Manning, and Catherine (Dan) Dodd.

Honorary urn bearers are Eleanor's great-grandchildren. Urn bearers are Laurie Keith, Lisa Snitker, Lacy Lloyd, John, Tom, Brian, and Brandon O'Neill, and Tim and Steve Winters.