In Remembrance

Eleanor Katherine (Henninger) Rilea, 85, went home to be with her Lord on April 26, 2026 in her home at home with the love of her life by her side.

Eleanor, the sixth of seven children, was born to Ralph and Nora (Fall) Henninger on 22 November 1941 and raised in the Dunkard Brethren faith on a dairy farm in Barnum, MN. Being the only daughter, she learned the necessary skills of homemaking and especially enjoyed sewing, embroidery, crocheting, gardening and excelled at singing in the church choir. Eleanor met Marvin at that Brethren church when they were 10 years old. They attended school at Central School together and graduated Barnum High School in 1959. She married Marvin Russell Rilea on 17 Jul 1959, Carlton, Minnesota and was a full-time wife and mother to her husband and seven children on the farm in Barnum. As a long-time member of Sandy Lake Baptist Church, she was always busy, full of faith, and quick to see the good in others. After Marvin retired they traveled in their RV all over the United States.

Eleanor leaves behind her husband of 66 years, Marvin, and children: Darwin (Jeri) Rilea, Cloquet, Duane (Naomi) Rilea, Kailua-Kona, HI, Douglas (Vicky) Rilea, Kettle River, Dennis (Rhonda) Rilea, Idaho, Maria (Robert) Young, Springfield, MO, Dale Rilea, Barnum, and brother Gordon Henniger, Barnum, 20 grandkids, 54 great-grandkids, and 4 great-great-grandkids. She was preceeded in death by her eldest daughter, Sheila (Corey) Putney and brothers James, Edwin, Donald, Ernest, and Vernon

There will be a Celebration of Life for her with a potluck dinner May 23rd from noon to 4 at Blackhoof Community Center, Barnum. Family and friends are invited to bring their favorite dish and memories of Eleanor.