Eleanor Julia Homer

Eleanor was born in Buffalo, New York, to Ella Koch and Julius Guth. She was baptized on July 24 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church and confirmed at St. Andrews along with her future husband, Gary Engerer. They were married in 1954 and were blessed with a son Dale and a daughter Holly Ann. She graduated from nurses training in Buffalo. She and Gary's love of camping began in a tattered old floorless Boy Scout tent during a severe rainstorm. They progressed to a camper and enjoyed a trip to Yellowstone.

Gary was transferred to Florida in 1965. Rogate Lutheran Church had just been established, and Gary and Eleanor joined and immediately became involved. Gary held many church offices until his death in 1980. Eleanor did secretarial work, organized the first ladies Guild, directed Vacation Bible Schools, sang in the choir, played chimes, delivered sermon tapes to shut ins and enjoyed a church camping group. She also oversaw the relocation of a Cambodian and a Slavic refugee family.

She enjoyed being a stay at home mom, a Girl Scout leader and trainer, teaching Red Cross classes, volunteering with Friends of Strays, bowling, and waterskiing and fishing in their boat the "Hollydale." She had a love for Bible Study and attended classes with the Moody Bible Institute as well as local church groups.

In 1978 she began work as an industrial nurse at Honeywell in Clearwater. Gary died in 1980 at age 47. Eleanor later married Russell Homer and was blessed with a stepdaughter, Russann Homer. She and Russ continued enjoying camping and traveling, and Eleanor loved get-togethers and outings with her new family and friends. in 1986 she began work as a hospice nurse in the newly formed Suncoast Hospice and continued with that until 1992 when she retired and renewed her volunteer interests. One of these was delivering meals on wheels for 30 years from 1992 to 2022. She also dabbled in painting and ceramics and enjoyed a trip to Israel in 2000. She also developed a love for numerous card games and mah-jongg and gathered many new friends through these activities.

Eleanor transferred her membership to First Lutheran Church in 1997 and became active in Altar Guild, Stephen Ministries, and was financial secretary of the congregation for 20 years. She served as president of both the local LWML and th Tampa Bay zone of the LWML.

She also met her buddy Dortie and she claimed God had put them together because where would you find two 80 year olds who both loved tent camping. After Russ's death they did some traveling including the Rose Bowl parade and western states, cruises, northeastern states and Canada, and New Orleans as well as camping at various Florida State parks. The last campout was an attempt to celebrate Eleanor's 90th birthday when another severe rainstorm demolished their old tent. They enjoyed a total of 32 camping trips together.

Survivors include Dale (Gina) Engerer, Holly Vogt, Russann (Mark) Cram, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren, one niece, four nephews, as well as dear friends.

A funeral service to honor Eleanor will take place 10am June 14th, 2025 at First Lutheran Church, 1644 Nursery Road, Clearwater, FL 33756 with a reception to follow.