Eleanor Ruth Coomber

Eleanor's Memorial Service will be livestreamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/3643965

We lost a bright light when Eleanor Coomber passed away on Aug. 9, 2023.

Eleanor Ruth McKinnon was born May 10, 1942, in Fort Erie, Ontario, to Audrey Elizabeth (England) and Alexander Allister McKinnon. They soon moved back to their home province of Saskatchewan, where Eleanor spent her early years on the family farm west of Regina.

Their farmhouse was off the grid and lacked running water, but Eleanor enjoyed recalling how her father would pick her up so she could press the button that started the generator and turned on the lights.

Eleanor earned her B.A. from the University of Saskatchewan and did graduate work in guidance and counseling at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While in Madison, she met James Elwood Coomber. They married on June 11, 1966, and moved to Moorhead, Minnesota. As a caseworker and counselor at Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, Eleanor placed children with adoptive families.

In 1969 Eleanor became a stay-at-home mom, caring for her daughter Sarah and son Matthew, and volunteering with many community groups. She also studied at North Dakota State University, worked in interior design and assisted with the Concordia College Reading & Writing Conferences, which Jim chaired.

Eleanor was known for her design work, gardening and gourmet cooking, and always had a book close at hand. She enjoyed participating in book, hardanger, gourmet and church groups, and always had room for a stray pet-six beloved cats and a dog over the years.

She loved traveling and fondly recalled trips to Europe, Japan and through much of North America. She and Jim spent many winters in Green Valley, Arizona.

As we adapt to Eleanor's absence, we give thanks for the way she lit up our world and imagine her now pressing a big button in the sky, turning on the stars at night.

Eleanor is survived by husband, Jim; daughter, Sarah Ellen Coomber (Jon Suomala), Moorhead; son, Matthew James (Sarah Allison Coomber), Davenport, Iowa; and grandsons, Daniel Coomala and Alistair Coomber. She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Lynda (Gary) Skelton; and brother, Bob (Elsie) McKinnon.

A celebration of life will be held at 10 am Friday, Sept. 1, at Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, 3600 25th Street S., Fargo. Visitation will be at the Cathedral, 5-7 pm Thursday, Aug. 31, and 9 am Friday, Sept. 1. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Gethsemane Episcopal Cathedral, Dakota Boys & Girls Ranch or another favorite charity.

The family is grateful for the wonderful care provided by Touchmark at Harwood Groves and Sanford Hospice. Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To view photos from Eleanor's life, visit: https://tinyurl.com/Eleanor-memories
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