Eleanor Schrum

Visitation 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 30, 2012 Ohde Funeral Home, Manning 108 First Street Manning, IA 51455
Funeral Service & Visitation 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2012 Covenant Presbyterian 1025 28th Street West Des Moines, IA 50266
Eleanor's family will receive friends at church after 10:00 a.m. There will be a PEO service during the funeral.
Interment 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 1, 2012 Manning Cemetery 1204 Center St Manning, IA 51455

Funeral Services for Eleanor "Ellie" Schrum were held Tuesday, May 1, 2012, at 11 am at Covenant Presbyterian Church in West Des Moines, Iowa. Pastor Jan Scott officiated with Ruth Harris serving as organist and Dodie Jabour as vocalist. The congregation sang "In the Garden" and the vocalist sang "I Fly Away" and "On Eagle's Wings." A PEO Memorial Service was held during the funeral by the CJ Chapter of West Des Moines. A funeral lunch was provided by the ladies of the church following the funeral service. Visitation was held at Ohde Funeral Home in Manning on Monday, April 30 from 4 - 7 pm. The interment was in Manning Cemetery at 4 pm on Tuesday with Reverend Marshall Brown officiating. Serving as casketbearers were Matthew Small, John Small, James Hagen, Gaylin Ranniger, Jake Ranniger, and Alex Ranniger. Honorary casketbearers were Christina & Justin Opatrny, Renee Graves, and Laura Hagen.

"In the midst of life we are in death."
This was most forcibly brought to the minds of friends and family when it became known that Mrs. Lyle Schrum had suddenly passed this life on Thursday, April 26, 2012, at about eleven o'clock p.m. at her Urbandale home. The sad report was a distinct shock to everyone, and another home is overshadowed with sorrow at the loss of one beloved.

Eleanor Renee (Sutherland) Schrum was born April 16, 1926, at Manning, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph Gordon "Gord" and Gertrude (Timmerman) Sutherland. She attended school in Manning until she graduated in the year 1944. Eleanor attended Iowa State University.

Eleanor is the last family member to pass of the Sutherland Family Lineage of Manning, Iowa; a family that was instrumental in shaping the city of Manning, Iowa, when Donald W. Sutherland (Eleanor's grandfather) started the business of banking as the First National Bank of Manning Iowa in 1886. D.W. Sutherland was a leader in Manning and his son R.G. Sutherland (Eleanor's father) followed in his footsteps as bank President. The bank is still family owned to this day.

On June 15, 1947, Eleanor was united in marriage to the love of her life Mr. Lyle Jr. Schrum. Lyle and Ellie moved to West Des Moines to which union two daughters were born: Nancy Renee Schrum, of Waukee, Iowa, and Susan Diane Davis of Adel, Iowa. Eleanor was an advocate of higher education and encouraged all of her family to pursue education and culture. "Ellie" was always cheerful, full of courage and had a determination to do her best. She had developed many friendships through her volunteer work at Mercy Hospital and other community work. Eleanor's past time loves were gardening, flowers, travel, golf, baseball, basketball, and family traditions. Family gatherings and holiday tradition were an important part of Eleanor's life. In retirement Lyle and Ellie spent winters at their Fort Myers Florida residence.

Her husband's success at Hawkeye Security provided many opportunities for the family. Lyle and Ele and the two girls traveled all over the United States. She and Lyle traveled all over Europe for pleasure and business, with many of the trips in later years with her sister Dorothy (Sutherland) and her husband Lyle Arp.

Mrs. Schrum, along with her husband Lyle, were charter members and attended the Covenant Presbyterian Church of West Des Moines Iowa. Eleanor was a member of PEO Chapter CJ in West Des Moines, Iowa. She helped with many PEO activities and held several officer positions. She was active in many school activities while her girls grew up and volunteered for many wonderful organizations – which included her church and Mercy Hospital Gift shop.

Eleanor is survived by her husband, Lyle Jr. Schrum, the two daughters, Nancy and Susan, her grandchildren; Renee Louise Graves, Christina Marie Opatrny, Laura Faye Hagen, Matthew Alan Small, and John Michael Small; her great grandchildren; Christopher Opatrny, Emmett James Hagen, and Trinity Marie Opatrny; and many other relatives and a host of friends.

Mrs. Schrum became ill suddenly while vacationing in Florida in March 2012, but her condition had become serious only recently and she was taken from the hospital to her home. Her death was attributed to pulmonary fibrosis and complications.

Everything possible had been done to restore her good health, but in vain. Death called her at the age of 86 years. In countless numbers her friends and family came to visit her in her final days.

Memorials can be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, West Des Moines, Iowa.