Eleanor Froehlich, 92, died July 10, 2009, at Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls.

Eleanor Geraldine (Tomhave) Froehlich was born in Fergus Falls on June 28, 1917. She was the only child of Henry L. and Olga (Porth) Tomhave, and the granddaughter of Henry L. Tomhave Sr., the second European homesteader in what would become Fergus Falls. Eleanor was baptized at Trinity Lutheran in Fergus Falls, a church her grandfather had helped found and where she saw her own children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren baptized over the years.
Eleanor and her parents survived the cyclone of 1919, but Trinity was destroyed, leaving her to attend the "basement" church until rebuilding was completed in 1926. She studied at the Trinity church parochial school and, later, at Washington High School, where she was active in music, dramatics and the National Honor Society. Graduating in 1935, she attended Interstate Business College in Fargo and later took night courses at Moorhead State Teachers College to further her music education.
After studying piano as a child, Eleanor began teaching lessons from her home, beginning in 1935, retiring over 70 years later only after a 2006 move to Mill Street Residence. Music, church, family and children were the cornerstones of her life and at the heart of what made her truly unique. Consistently active in the musical life of her church since childhood, Eleanor led various musical groups and choirs, including the choir where she met her future husband, Elmer Froehlich.

Elmer and Eleanor were married at Trinity Lutheran on June 28, 1938, and the next year they moved to a new home built on Vine Street, a home they would share for 58 years until Elmer's passing in 1997.

Their union was blessed with two children, Gary Dean (1939) and Bonnie Lynn (1946). In addition to her musical activities, Eleanor was active in her children's schools and the community. She participated in the PTA, was a Cub Scout Den Mother, Campfire Leader and an organizer of the City Slicker 4-H Club for young people inside the city limits.
Summers were spent at the family cottage on Wall Lake, where Eleanor entertained friends and indulged her grandchildren with tales of train rides from town, and of roller skating rinks and band concerts on the lake that she had enjoyed as a child.
Eleanor knew from a young age that music, faith and family were her calling. She enriched her community as a teacher for over seven decades, sharing her love of music with generations of children, including the great-grandchildren of some of her original students. Hours at the piano brought her much joy and she often hoped that music would bring as much happiness to others as it had to her. A favorite quote she often shared with her students states, "God gives the heart a voice to sound its joy — and calls it music."
Trinity Church presented her with a plaque in 1984, honoring her for 50 years of musical contributions as well as for her contributions as a teacher and church leader. Eleanor was also a charter member of the "Y's Folks Club," a senior auxiliary of the local YMCA, and she was presented with a certificate in 1989 by then Gov. Rudy Perpich designating her as an "Outstanding Senior Citizen of West Otter Tail County."
Eleanor was kind, gentle and enthusiastic. She leaves a legacy of service to the community and devotion to her family and faith that cannot be overstated. She was proud of where she was from, she loved what she did and she knew exactly where she was going.

Eleanor is survived by her son, Gary (Agnes) Froehlich of Fergus Falls; daughter, Bonnie Pahlen of Superior, Wis.; six grandchildren: Michael Froehlich of Grand Forks, Steven (Jessica) Froehlich of Richfield, James Froehlich of St. Louis Park, Jonathan (Sara Monson) Froehlich of Brooklyn Center, Jason Pahlen of Superior, Wis., and Jamie (Robert) Hunter of Superior; four great-grandchildren: Clarice Eleanor Froehlich, Emily Paige Hunter, Benjamin Michael Hunter and Max Henry Froehlich; sister-in-law, Rosa Luedtke of Seattle, Wash.; special friends, Kathryn Olson and Jan Forer; and many nieces, nephews, friends and piano students.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Elmer, as well as her parents, grandparents and son-in-law, Michael Pahlen.

Visitation: Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service at the church

Service: 1 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Lutheran Church

Clergy: Rev. Roger Lange

Burial: Trinity-Faith Cemetery

Funeral home: Glende-Nilson Funeral Home, Fergus Falls
www.glendenilson.com

Fergus Falls Daily Journal July 13, 2009