Eleanor Larson Finley

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, May 22, 2025 at the Mueller Funeral Home, Ottawa. Burial will follow at Freedom Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.

Eleanor was born on Feb. 25, 1927 in Freedom Township, LaSalle County, IL to Lloyd and Elsie Eike Larson. She was a 1944 graduate of Serena (IL) High School and a 1948 graduate of Illinois State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in speech pathology. She later completed several graduate courses in speech pathology and audiology at Northern Illinois University. For many years she worked as a speech therapist in Ottawa, IL, first at the Easter Seal Center and then for 30 years in the Ottawa Elementary Schools.

Throughout her life, Eleanor was an avid reader who loved crossword puzzles and who was an unbeatable Scrabble opponent. She also excelled at needlework, including counted cross stitch, needlepoint, and the Norwegian art of hardanger. She was a past member of the American Speech and Hearing Association, the American Association of University Women, the Ottawa Hospital Auxiliary, Monday Club, and the Sons of Norway. For many years, she enjoyed volunteering at the former Reruns Store operated by the hospital auxiliary. She was also a faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Ottawa where she worked for many years as a volunteer in the church office, often putting her “word skills” to work as the proofreader of the weekly church bulletin. Following her retirement, she enjoyed playing bridge and taking the opportunity to travel. Her favorite destinations included Norway, England, Switzerland, Alaska, Hawaii, and New York City. More than anything, Eleanor loved her family; and she never missed an opportunity to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Eleanor is survived by two children, Gail (Mike) Espinoza of Jamestown, and Paul (Debbie) Finley of Ottawa; six grandchildren, Steven (Faith) Espinoza of Sleepy Hollow, NY; Laura (Darren) Towers of Annapolis, MD; Jake (Meghan) Finley of Earlville, IL; Kelsey (John) Peters of Marseilles, IL; Jenna (Joe) Young of Serena, IL; and Connor (Kara) Finley of Earlville. Also surviving are a sister-in-law, Marge Larson, several niece and nephews; and 16 great-grandchildren, Leo Espinoza; Clara and Wesley Towers; Miles, Brock, Sawyer, Arie, Brooklyn, and Cade Finley; Elle, Charlotte, and Vivienne Peters; and Warren, Olive, Emmett, and Boe Young.

Eleanor was preceded in death by a brother, Lowell Larson; two sisters, Frances Dorsey and Marjorie Ricketts; and two brothers-in-law, Richard Dorsey and Charles Ricketts.

Memorials may be directed to the LaSalle County Nursing Home or to the donor’s choice.

You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Ave., Ottawa, IL 61350.