Eleanor Manka Jones, age 101 of Kenosha, died on September 13, 2016 at Brookside Care Center.

Eleanor was born on February 19, 1915 in the town of Hale in Trempealeau County, WI to the late John A. and Frances (Sluga) Manka. She relocated to the Kenosha area in the early 1930’s. On July 28, 1938 she was united in marriage to Kenneth L. Jones at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clinton, IA. He preceded her in death on December 23, 1968.

A true “Rosie the Riveter”, Eleanor was proud to have aided the war effort at McWhyte and Nash during WWII. She also worked at J.C. Penney before cash registers were readily available, and later worked at Willowbrook (now Brookside Care Center) in the dietary department for 15 years until her retirement in 1981.

Eleanor’s greatest joy in life was spending time with family and friends. She was involved in the Catholic Women’s League at St. James Catholic Church. She belonged to two card clubs, and also enjoyed bowling, gardening (both vegetable and flowers), and cooking. She was best known for her baking, especially her mother’s homemade bread and coffee cake recipes.

She is survived by her sons, James K. (Barbara) and Thomas A. (Mary) Jones; her grandchildren, Carolyn (Kevin) Adelsen, Matthew (Deanna) Jones, and Samuel Jones; five great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; seven step-great grandchildren; a sister, Gertrude Bodnar; two brothers, Ralph (Elaine) and Raymond “Bud” (Mary Potts) Manka; and special nieces, Bonnie Barca Friday, Joan Osborne, and Frances Petrick.

Eleanor is also survived by many nieces, nephews and her cousin, Betty Hubbard.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Adolph, Lonnie, Edward, and John Manka; and three sisters, Helen Knudtson, Jean Barca, and Martha Insteness.

Eleanor’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Brookside Care Center for the loving attention she received while in their care.

Service Info

A memorial service in honor of Eleanor will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 12:00PM at the Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home, 3720 39th Avenue. Inurnment will take place in St. James Cemetery at a later date.