Eleanor Barrette

Eleanor passed in peace on Sunday, December 23, 2018 in her 90th year with her son, Dale at her side. It is with profound sadness that we say farewell; she touched so many lives for the better and will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving mother, family member, friend, homemaker, and a career banking professional. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on Valentine's Day 1928 to Paul and Mathilda Havlik. Beloved wife of the late Gary Barrette, they married on October 12, 1957. She was the cherished mother of identical twin boys, Dean and Dale and proud grandmother of Joseph and David. Eleanor's husband, Gary, and her son, Dean, both preceded her in death far too early. A dedicated mother first and foremost, she treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. She was a caring and generous woman who paused her banking career to raise two boys on her own. Instilling strong values, which served them well, she made certain that her pride and joy would be successful, both graduating from the Illinois College of Optometry with one in private practice and the other a career military officer. She loved to cook, kept an immaculate house, was a crafting genius, enjoyed square dancing, was a strong competitor at card and board games, was a live theater enthusiast, as well as an avid gardener who always had gorgeous geraniums in the front of her house and an assortment of other flowers in her side garden. Filled with the spirit of giving, she dedicated her time to helping others, volunteering, and participating in various clubs including several church groups. She served as a member of St. Mark's Ruth Circle, leading the Esther Circle, and organized the church's Mother-Daughter Banquets (often "volunteering" her boys to help too). She was a member of the Milwaukee Mothers of Twins Club and the Professional Business Women's Organization, recruiting speakers for this group. Eleanor remained fiercely independent throughout her entire life. A visitation will be held on Friday, January 4 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Molthen-Bell Funeral Home in South Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Eleanor will lie in state the next day, Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. held at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church at 3515 E. Van Norman Avenue, in Cudahy, Wisconsin. Officiating the service will be Reverend Wendy Wirth-Brock. Entombment will be at Forest Hill Memorial Park in Oak Creek, Wisconsin following the funeral service.