Elleanor Beatrice Clark was born in Michigan on June 14 (Flag Day), 1919. She married Russell Souter from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1940. Deciding they were tired of the cold weather in Michigan, they moved to San Diego and then to Long Beach where they raised their two children. In 1985 they moved to Grass Valley to be closer to the family. Elleanor worked most of her life in sales and became very knowledgeable in a number of fields through her sales work. She was an accomplished pianist and could play all the popular tunes of the 1920's, 30's and 40's. She also loved classical music and always had recordings playing in the home. In the 1930's she was hired to play the current songs of the day in department stores in order to interest customers in buying the recordings and the sheet music. Later she sold records and then custom draperies.

She was extremely creative and crafty and over her long lifetime she was constantly creating beautiful things for her own home and gifts for the family. She and Russ learned sign language to better communicate with each other when he started to lose his hearing and they attended a deaf church for many years. She was a ham radio operator with an advanced license and participated in the communications for the Powder Puff Derby for a number of years. She was a word buff, always delighting in discovering unusual new words. She enjoyed word games. Elleanor was passionate about pink and loved flowers. Her homes were always attractive.

In 1961, Elleanor discovered that Jesus Christ had died for her sins and that He wanted to guarantee her a place in Heaven. She was eager to begin a life of following Him. She read and studied her Bible daily for the rest of her life. Her date to enter Heaven was Good Friday, April 14, 2017 just two months short of her 98th birthday.

She is survived by her daughter Margaret (Alvin) Urke of Grass Valley and her son John (Nikki) Souter of Hawaii. Her grandchildren are Doug (Suzette) Urke, Laury (Pip) White, Rebekah Souter (Elleanorâs dedicated companion for the last 7 years), Julie (James) Pegler, Josh (Kiara) Souter, Lauren Souter plus seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband Russ in 2008.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 7 at 12:30 p.m. at Calvary Bible Church, 11481 State Highway 174 near Union Hill School.

Excerpt from the November 1953 QST Article "YL News and Views"
By Eleanor Wilson, W1QON
W6NZP, Evelyn, and W6LMQ, Eleanor, were guests another day and discussed their part in the 1953 All Women's Transcontinental Air Race.