Eleanor H. Thomsen, age 91, a resident of Sandwich, IL, formerly of Wheaton, IL, passed away on Thursday, September 11, 2025.  She was born April 18, 1934 in Petersburg, VA to Robert & Doris Harwell.

Eleanor grew up in Petersburg, Virginia with her parents, her brother Whitney and her sister Doris. After graduating as an art major from Mary Baldwin, she taught school for a year, then met and married George Thomsen. When his job took him to Chicago, they made their new home in Wheaton where they raised their three girls and were married for 46 years.

Over the years, Eleanor volunteered in the school, tapping into her love of art when helping teachers with seasonal events and monthly art presentations. For several years she was head of the PTA, one year drawing the portraits of each teacher and staff member as a thank you gift.  She loved to paint and to draw. She also loved history and found many ways to both learn about and support its preservation. This included being a member of several local history clubs and a long-time supporter of the Williamsburg Foundation. She also had a great interest in genealogy.

A member at College Church, Eleanor taught Sunday school for many years, helped with VBS, started and directed the junior choir and helped with many creative endeavors, including helping to design and paint several theatrical backdrops for Sunday school and Hyack banquets. Also, when the need for a temporary receptionist in the church office arose, she stepped into to help and became full time —a role she stayed at and enjoyed for 20 years.

After retiring, she moved to Sandwich, IL, to be closer to family. There, along with the joy of just getting to be Grandma, she delved back into her artistic roots and became a prolific knitter.  She also had fun exploring a variety of fiber arts and created all sorts of wonderful things, many of which she enjoyed entering in the Sandwich Fair.

Eleanor was a gracious and lovely lady, kind to all and saw the best in everyone. She loved her family and was proud of and delighted with each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also greatly loved and appreciated her many friends over the years, each one a special blessing. And most importantly, Eleanor loved the Lord. She was sure of His love and saving  grace in her life and she rested fully in His peace.

She is survived by her two daughters Julia (Mark) Caldwell of Newark, IL, & Hope (Todd) Crommett of Phoenix, AZ; her son-in-law James (Marita) Albinson; 10 grandchildren: Lisa (Heather) Albinson and Carrie (Steve) Bosmans; Sam (Maggie) Caldwell and Sara Caldwell; and Olivia (Robert) Hall, Josie, Allison, Maggie, Sophia, and Greggory Crommett; her great-grandchildren Roger & Whitney Bosmans; Luke & Benjamin Caldwell; and Indie Hall; and her sister Doris Lawson.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, George; her daughter Ann Albinson; her brother Whitney and his wife Joan Harwell; and her brother-in-law Jim Lawson.

A visitation will be held at College Church in Wheaton, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton, IL 60187, on Thursday, September 25, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the memorial service at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be private at Wheaton Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to College Church or Dickson Valley Camp , 8250  Finnie Road, Newark, IL 60541.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.