Eleanor Butkus

Eleanor Butkus, 81, of Burke Drive, Morganton, NC, died Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, NC. Born in August 21, 1926 in Cook County, IL, she was the daughter of the late Leonard John Butkus and Helen C. Okons Butkus. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a great-nephew, Steve Pritchard. Eleanor was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. She was also a former member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Chicago, IL. While living in Chicago she painted lamps for the Royal China Company. Eleanor retired from the Kick Dial Company. After her retirement, she stayed to take care of her aging parents. In 1979, she moved to Morganton to be with her family. In her better years she was a certified doll doctor and collector.Miss Butkus is survived by a sister, Marie M. Butkus of Morganton; nephews, David Tubergen and wife Danita, of Morganton, and John Tubergen of the home; nieces, JoAnn Whitley and husband,Mike, and Sheril Rhinehart and husband, David, all of Jefferson City, TN; great-nieces, Tracy Peña, Carrie Steidl, Shylon Perky, and Sherry Pritchard; great-nephews, Thomas Tubergen, Joseph Tubergen, Brian Pritchard; 8 great-great nieces and nephews, and a special cat, Mirah.The funeral will be held at noon on Saturday, November 17, 2007 at St. Charles Catholic Borromeo with Father Kenneth Whittington officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home.