Eleanor Grace Witter

Eleanor Witter is survived by her son David Pauls; her sisters Maxine Nethery, Wilma Evers, Anita Latuszek, and Lois Brodersen, as well as granddaughters Kayleen and Brenna Pauls, Rachel and Lindsey MacKinnon, and great-granddaughter Emberly Godschalk. She was preceded in death by her daughter Lora MacKinnon, husband Edwin Witter, and parents George and Hazel Von Flue.

Eleanor was born on August 31, 1935 in Fresno, CA to George and Hazel. Childhood years were spent growing up on the Von Flue family farm in Kerman, where she learned hard work, played games with her cousins, and enjoyed frequent family gatherings and celebrations. During her teens she was a Song Girl graduating from Kerman High School in 1953. After graduation, increasingly poor eyesight made going to college difficult, so she first attended cosmetology school in Fresno. After her corneas had detached and shadows were all she could see, she received the miracle call that a donor had been found, and that she had to get to San Francisco within 24 hours to receive an experimental corneal transplant. With only a 50/50 chance of seeing again, she bravely underwent two separate surgeries and was successfully able to finish school. Now able to see clearly, she attended San Jose State College, living with her sisters Maxine and Wilma Coming home on weekends she would grab her youngest sister Lois in order to take her skiing. Upon completion of college, she earned both a degree in Physical Education as well as her teaching credential. One of her first jobs after receiving her degree was teaching at an American school in Lugano, Switzerland. There, she enjoyed running the ski club and traveling all over Europe to ski. Eleanor married Alfred Pauls in 1968 and moved to the August Moon house in Los Gatos. On December 15, 1970, she and Al welcomed twins David and Lora. Eleanor set about teaching them both her love of athletics, as well as her fashion and artistic sense. Eleanor was a strong, independent woman who encouraged her children to pursue their goals and passions. As a single mother since the children were 5, Eleanor always made sure they could participate in sports and activities.

As her children grew, Eleanor found great enjoyment in teaching David and Lora sports like badminton and skiing. Eleanor’s adventurous spirit and love for traveling were showcased beautifully in all that she did. Her passions of teaching, learning, fashion, family, and sports were continually influenced and enhanced by her adventurous nature. With this, she always made sure to surround her children with faith and family so they always knew they were loved.

In 1983, she married Ed Witter and together they enjoyed traveling, often spending months abroad, exploring the far reaches of the world. Later, Eleanor and Ed moved to the Witter Ranch in Sacramento. Eleanor continued her love of teaching, frequently offering field trips to local schools on the historic farm. After Ed’s passing, Eleanor moved to Campus Commons, a retirement community, where she enjoyed the last years of her life visiting with fellow residents, sewing intricate and beautiful quilts and linens, giving talks on her travels to the community, and spending time with her family.

A graveside funeral service is scheduled for 11:30 am on August 22 at Fresno Memorial Gardens in Fresno, California, with a reception to follow at the Hotel Piccadilly. Her son David will officiate the ceremony. To celebrate Eleanor’s life, In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Yolo Cares, https://yolocares.org/give/. Condolences can be sent to https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/sacramento-ca/eleanor-witter-12471431. The family would like to thank Maggie Nareki and Liti Ratu for their loving caretaking of Mom during her final days, along with all the Hospice nurses and social workers at Sutter Care at Home.