Eleanor Gray

Eleanor Gray, 81, of Webster City, a former Stanhope resident, died Friday, December 25, 2009 at Crestview Senior Living. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Foster Chapel, with Rev. Suzie Moore officiating. Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday and prior to the service on Wednesday. Eleanor Lucy Bell, daughter of Burdette and C. Lois Reed Bell, was born May13, 1928 at Clarion. She attended a rural school in Wright county until the family moved to Woolstock in 1939. She graduated from Woolstock Public School in 1946. Following graduation, she was employed by Hahne Printing until she was married to Orville Roger Gray on July 15, 1949 at the Methodist parsonage at Vincent, Iowa. Eleanor was a homemaker for many years, and after the children left home, she was employed by Gene's Food Market at Stanhope, All American Sports Center and Iowa Miss and Mrs, both at Webster City. Her pastime included, knitting, camping, church choir, Monday Ladies Coffee and of course the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Eleanor is survived by her husband, Orville; son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Lois Gray of Bondurant; daughter and son-in-law, Debra and Layton Miles of Ankeny; sister, Iris Hightower of Fort Smith, AR; brothers, Donald Ray Bell of Norwalk; Burdette Bell, Jr. of Webster City; grandchildren, Darci Ludwig; Jackson Bussanmas and Paul Gray; great-grandchildren, Sky Bussanmas; Ava Ludwig; Roya Ludwig and Mason Bussanmas; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Leona Jean Gaster and Veda Hartman. She was a member of the Stanhope Parish, Junior Mrs. Club and the Coachman Club (a travel Club). Eleanor was a gracious wife, sister, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. All who have loved her will miss her gentle spirit, contagious giggle and her compassionate heart. She is an angel watching over all of us. Write a personal tribute or light a virtual candle for the Gray family at www.fosterfuneralandcremation.com