Eleanor was the daughter of Otto and Jenny Andersen. She graduated from Teaneck High School on Jun 13, 1941 and worked for a time as a bank teller in New York City and in Hackensack, NJ. On Nov 28, 1942 Eleanor became the loving wife of M. William Johnsen. Eleanor and Bill celebrated their 76th anniversary before Bill’s death in 2019. They made their home in River Edge, NJ for over 70 years where they raised their three children. Eleanor enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. She made home a special place for her family. She was a great cook and baker with many benefiting from those talents. She also enjoyed sewing and handwork – knitting afghans for her children and seven grandchildren. She was also an avid reader. With college tuition approaching Eleanor joined the River Edge Police Department as a crossing guard. She crossed children on the corner of Midland Avenue and Bogert Road for 15 years. Eleanor was a devoted wife, mother of three, grandmother of seven, and great grandmother (Bestamor) of eighteen. The Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Teaneck was an essential part of her life. In her younger years she sang in the choir and string band. She also taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School and served on the Deacon Board. Eleanor had a gentle spirit and easily reflected the love of the Lord.
Eleanor is survived by her three children, David (Karen) Johnsen of Woodstock, CT, Judith (Alan) Skaar of Montvale, NJ, and Allen (Susan) Johnsen of Milford, PA. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Timothy (Meaghan) Skaar of Roslindale, MA, Rebecca (James) Andersen of Montague, NJ, Jenny (Clark) Gillett of Eastford, CT, Rachael (Nathan) Bell of Milford, PA, Kathryn (Michael) Hopper of Middletown, NY, Robert (Rebekah) Johnsen of Lititz, PA, Nancy (Jonny) Hickok of Dingman’s Ferry, PA, eighteen great grandchildren, a brother-in-law, Svein Jonssen of New Milford, NJ, a sister-in-law, Ruth (Haakon) Tonnesen of Warwick, NY, and many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband, Bill, her siblings, Tom Anderson, and Lillian Jonssen, and a niece and three nephews.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to the at-home caregivers, to the Fox Trail Senior Living staff, and to Hospice for their loving care for our mom as she came to the end of her life.
A private burial service was held on January 21, 2022 and a Memorial Service will be held at the Montvale Evangelical Free Church, 141 West Grand Avenue, Montvale, NJ on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 1:30PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Trinity Evangelical Free Church, Teaneck, NJ.
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