Elinor Kathrine Juhl

Elinor Kathrine Juhl, daughter of Andrew M and Esther Belle (Kemp) Christensen, was born on July 5, 1927 at home on the farm north of Marne in Cass County, Iowa. She grew up on the farm and attended rural school at Brighton Township #2, Harlan Lincoln Township #8, Defiance Public School and graduated from Harlan High School in 1944. Following her schooling, she taught at Rabbit Hollow County Schools for two years. Alongside her teaching profession, she wholeheartedly contributed to farm life and excelled as a homemaker.

On April 5, 1946, Elinor was united in marriage with Daniel “Russ” Juhl in the Fireside Room at the Methodist Church in Atlantic. The couple lived in Harlan for a few months before moving to a farm southwest of Manilla. Together they raised seven children and shared many precious moments. Family was always at the center of Elinor's life. In 1963, they moved and continued farming northwest of Manilla. After selling their farm to their son in 1987, Elinor and Russ moved to their home in Manilla. In 2017, she moved to the Manilla Manor until in closed in 2021 and landed at Elm Crest Senior Living in Harlan. 

Throughout her life, Elinor cultivated a variety of interests and hobbies. She was a faithful member of the United Church of Manilla, where she devoted her time to Mary Martha Bible Study, teaching Sunday School, and supporting the GASP (God After School Program) of the United Church. Additionally, she found joy in being part of the Friendly Farmers Club. In addition to always being ‘the teacher’, Elinor's green thumb shone through in her skill as a gardener, nurturing vegetables, flowers, and houseplants with care. Her creativity extended to crocheting and sewing, activities she cherished over the years.

Elinor passed away peacefully, on Friday, April 5, 2024 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, attaining the age of 96 years and 9 months. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Daniel Juhl; sons Roger Juhl and Dan Juhl; daughter and son-in-law Susan and Don Bockelmann; grandson Kyle Juhl; brothers and sister-in-law Valen Christensen and wife Arlene and Homer John Christensen.

She is survived by her four daughters: Marilyn Rand and fiancé Neil Lange of Omaha, NE; Lu Ann McKinley of Manilla; Ellen and husband Bill White of Omaha, NE; Holly and husband Carlin Jensen of San Jose, CA; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law Lisa Potthoff of West Des Moines; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.