Eleanor Otis was born May 18, 1922, in East Lansing, Michigan to Otto and Martha Smith. She passed peacefully at home with her daughters by her side on April 3, 2021. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clayton; daughter, Martha Jo Devlin and son-in-law, Michael Devlin. Surviving are daughters, Mary (Rick Horstead) Krueger and Diane Otis; grandchildren, Amy Devlin, John (April) Devlin, Elizabeth (Steve) Nagy, Becky (Rob) McWherter and Eric Wade; great-grandchildren, Abbey (Nick) Balkus, Lexie Devlin, Lauren Stamper, Adam and Jack Nagy. She is also survived by a large and loving family of nieces, nephews and their children.
She loved visiting the Upper Peninsula where her parents met after immigrating separately in the mid 1800’s from Germany. An expert in sewing, needlework and quilting, she gave many gifts including crocheted baby blankets to grand and great-grandchildren. Eleanor and her husband were founding members of the Haslett Community Church and for many years she served on the Member Caring Committee. After losing her dear husband, she devoted her time to the Meridian Historical Village as a member of the Friends of Historic Meridian. For many years she stocked the Village Gift Shop and dressed in period costume for class field trips.
She is one of the last of her generation and will be greatly missed, living on in memories of family euchre tournaments, holiday parties and vacations at several Michigan lakes.
The family would like to thank McLaren Hospice, especially her main nurse Cynthia, for their mother’s care in her last weeks.
A family graveside service is planned, with the hope of a more formal service being possible in the future. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.greastlansing.com
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