Ahno

Today we celebrate the life of a wonderful, extraordinary woman. You may know her as Eleanor, Gramma, or maybe Mrs. G, but we, my brothers and sisters and cousins all know her as Ahno.  I’m sure many of us didn’t know her actual name until years later.

During our early years our families spent so much time together, Ahno was like a second mom. We spent summer vacations camping in Wisconsin, we were together for family birthdays, picnics, parties or our annual Family Christmas Eve celebration. The folks were always playing pinochle at each other’s homes. We all remember the many hours playing in their yard in Elmhurst, climbing the cherry and apple trees and playing in the “barn”.

I remember Ahno and mom going “bumming” which was their weekly shopping trip, where at the end of the day they would either come home with the best bargains out there and showed off their best buys, or nothing at all. But that didn’t stop them from going out “bumming” next week.

Ahno was an awesome seamstress. She made my wedding dress, both my sisters dresses and her daughter in law Barbs dress, plus dresses for the brides maids.  She sewed the canvas tent covering for the popup travel trailer Uncle Fred made and she was always there to lend a helping hand when we had a project, like reupholstering a sofa or chair.

Ahno was a strong woman. When Uncle Fred became ill, she became his primary care giver for many years.  She never let it get her down. 

It was always a joy visiting with Ahno. Her mind was so sharp, she was up on current events, could discuss the latest book she was reading, or how upset she was when her internet was down. I’m amazed that at 99 she was using her computer, doing her banking on line, sending emails, and looking things up on the internet.

My sisters and I loved taking her to casinos where we would spend the day playing share on the slots and having lunch. We didn’t win often—but we always had a great time with her. 
Ahno was a great cook, and always wan

She was my "big" sister (even if I was taller) and so much smarter than me, especially with figures. I think she began singing at the age of three, with her sisters Elizabeth and Lillian. I loved accompanying her, and when I hear the aria from "Carmen" that she sang, I always think of her. All of us girls took piano lessons from Pearl (Mrs. Hugo) Mueller, and Ahno and I still had fun on my last visit playing piano duets that we learned as kids. I'll never forget when she and Lillian and Melvin and I were in an auto accident, and how she took charge, calming our sister Lil and stopping a car on the highway to get us a ride to the hospital. When they moved to Elmhurst, just a few blocks from us, I loved it when Fred (who was working nights) would take us all, Ahno with their kids Carol and Ken, and me with our kids Scott, Jim and Paul , on daytime excursions , and the fun we had. For neither Eleanor nor I had learned to drive at that time! But one of my favorite memories is of December, 1947, when we both became mothers: Carol on December 12 and Scott on December 15. and we were allowed to share a room at the hospital. Of course we were singers. Of course it was close to Christmas. And of course we sang Christmas carols together...to the amusement but pleasure of the nurses! I loved my "big" sister. And I'll miss her. 

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Eleanor leaves behind eight grandchildren: Lee Reeder, 51, Timothy Reeder, (died in infancy), Dawn Deike, 38, Denise Deike, 35, Andrew Dunleavy, 37, Jeremy Gosse, 34, Katherine Gosse, 28, Christina Gosse, 28.  Five great grandchildren: Caitlin Dunleavy, 17, Declan Dunleavy, 15, Alaura Dunleavy, 6, Emelia Boland, 15 months and Eleanor Gosse, 4.

OBITUARY

Eleanor "Ahno" C. Gosse

July 11, 1919 – July 27, 2018

Lakeshore Mortuary

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