Eloise Iler

ELOISE CAROLINE ILER was born to Edelbert “Bert” and Annie (Melander) McCurdy on March 26, 1918 on Eagle Grove Farm in Spruce Valley Township, Marshall County, Minnesota near Middle River where she was raised and attended school. In 1930, she moved with her family to the Melander Farm in Altona Township, north of Pipestone, Minnesota. After her graduation from Pipestone High School in 1935, she worked as a hired girl for various families in the area. On September 7, 1938, she was united in marriage to Ronald Iler at her parents’ home. Following their marriage, they lived on the Iler Farm in Altona Township. In 1970, she began working as a cook in the Verdi School where she worked for 15 years. Ronald preceded her in death on February 6, 2002.

Eloise left the farm in December of 2005 and lived in Mankato for a short time with her daughter. In July of 2006, she moved into Falls Landing in Pipestone, MN. In April of 2007, she moved into the Valley Manor in Lake Benton and was cared for by her daughter while she was there. On July 18, 2011, Eloise entered the Good Samaritan Comminutes in Pipestone where she lived until her death.

Eloise died Friday, July 19, 2013 at Pipestone County Medical Center at the age of 95 years.

Eloise was a member of the Verdi Methodist Church in Verdi where she taught Sunday school, was a member of the church and community choir, and was the organist since 1972. She started playing the organ when she was 13 years old. She was a certified lay speaker in the United Methodist Church for many years. She and Ronald sang at many funerals and church services. She was the president of the Altona Ladies’ Aid for 10 years and very active in the WSCS of the Verdi Church. She was a member of the Altona Extension, the Birthday Club and 4-H, where she was a junior 4H Leader. She enjoyed music and gardening.

She is lovingly remembered by her three sons, Howard Wayne and his wife Darlene Iler of Verdi, Minnesota, Ronald Eugene “Gene” Iler of Sioux City, Iowa, and Douglas Keith Iler of Marshall, Minnesota; two daughters, Audrey Beth Iler of Mankato, Minnesota and Vivian Gail Iler of Minnetonka, Minnesota; two granddaughters, Nickole Meierotto and great grandson, Christian of Twenty Nine Palms, California and granddaughter, Sandi Morales of Lewisville, Texas; one sister, Beverly and her husband Arlie Johnson, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; one sister-in-law Elaine McCurdy of Pipestone, Minnesota and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; her son Richard Iler; her parents; her nephew, Harold Dee; two sisters, Bertha Stueven and Alvina Granberg; and one brother, Philip McCurdy.