Elinor Darr
August 4th, 1925 - May 27th, 2024
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Elinor's Obituary
Elinor C. Darr, 98, of Dowagiac, passed away on Monday afternoon, May 27, 2024 at Hanson Hospice Center in Stevensville, Michigan.
She was born on August 4, 1925, in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of Ollie M. and Marie C. (Grondahl) Ireland. The Ireland family moved to North Dakota in 1927 to live on the family farm, where they lived for 14 years. Elinor spent those years milking cows from the age of six, riding horses bareback, and proudly driving a plow of five horses by the age of 16. The Ireland family returned to Michigan in 1942, after buying a small farm outside of Edwardsburg.
During World War II, at the age of 18, Elinor worked as “Rosie the Riveter” at the Kawneer factory in Niles, Michigan. When the war ended, she started work at Heddon’s in Dowagiac. She also spent time working at the local drug store, where she met her future husband.
On September 30, 1950, she was united in marriage to Edwin R. Darr. They spent 59 wonderful years of marriage together, dedicating their lives to spending time with family and friends, traveling, growing in their faith and sharing kindness in the community. Elinor worked as the “office gal” for Ed’s business for several years, before committing herself to being a homemaker and caring for their daughter, Diana. They lived in their family home on the Mill Pond in Dowagiac for over 40 years. Elinor had a true love for horses and enjoyed sharing her passion with Diana through participation in 4-H and horse shows for years.
After Ed’s passing, Elinor has lived in their Dowagiac home finding joy in reading, watching NASCAR or Hallmark movies, spending time outdoors, snacking on chocolate, and telling visitors stories about her past.
Surviving Elinor are her daughter – Diana (Harold) Walker; three grandchildren – Brent (Stephanie) Walker, Kevin (Chelsea) Walker and Erin (Bob) Baldwin; three great-grandchildren; Jase Walker, Millie Walker and Walker Baldwin; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 59 years, Ed Darr; sister – Jean Corbit and brother – David Ireland.
A service to celebrate Elinor’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 630 McCleary St, Dowagiac, where friends may visit with his family from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Pastor David Schmidt will officiate. Private interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac. Memorial contributions in Elinor’s name may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Caring Circle Hospice. Arrangements were entrusted to Clark Chapel - Starks Family Funeral Homes, Dowagiac. Please visit Elinor’s personalized webpage to share a memory or leave a condolence to her family at www.clarkch.com.
She was born on August 4, 1925, in South Bend, Indiana, the daughter of Ollie M. and Marie C. (Grondahl) Ireland. The Ireland family moved to North Dakota in 1927 to live on the family farm, where they lived for 14 years. Elinor spent those years milking cows from the age of six, riding horses bareback, and proudly driving a plow of five horses by the age of 16. The Ireland family returned to Michigan in 1942, after buying a small farm outside of Edwardsburg.
During World War II, at the age of 18, Elinor worked as “Rosie the Riveter” at the Kawneer factory in Niles, Michigan. When the war ended, she started work at Heddon’s in Dowagiac. She also spent time working at the local drug store, where she met her future husband.
On September 30, 1950, she was united in marriage to Edwin R. Darr. They spent 59 wonderful years of marriage together, dedicating their lives to spending time with family and friends, traveling, growing in their faith and sharing kindness in the community. Elinor worked as the “office gal” for Ed’s business for several years, before committing herself to being a homemaker and caring for their daughter, Diana. They lived in their family home on the Mill Pond in Dowagiac for over 40 years. Elinor had a true love for horses and enjoyed sharing her passion with Diana through participation in 4-H and horse shows for years.
After Ed’s passing, Elinor has lived in their Dowagiac home finding joy in reading, watching NASCAR or Hallmark movies, spending time outdoors, snacking on chocolate, and telling visitors stories about her past.
Surviving Elinor are her daughter – Diana (Harold) Walker; three grandchildren – Brent (Stephanie) Walker, Kevin (Chelsea) Walker and Erin (Bob) Baldwin; three great-grandchildren; Jase Walker, Millie Walker and Walker Baldwin; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband of 59 years, Ed Darr; sister – Jean Corbit and brother – David Ireland.
A service to celebrate Elinor’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 630 McCleary St, Dowagiac, where friends may visit with his family from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Pastor David Schmidt will officiate. Private interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Dowagiac. Memorial contributions in Elinor’s name may be directed to St. John’s Lutheran Church or Caring Circle Hospice. Arrangements were entrusted to Clark Chapel - Starks Family Funeral Homes, Dowagiac. Please visit Elinor’s personalized webpage to share a memory or leave a condolence to her family at www.clarkch.com.
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