With great sadness we share the quiet passing of Eleanor Elizabeth Heise as she went to be with her Savior Jesus Christ on August 24, 2026. Eleanor was the daughter of Cora Mae Cunningham and Ralph Ulseth, born May 26, 1929.
Eleanor was raised in Milwaukee, WI and then later in Wind Lake, WI, along with her siblings, 3 sisters and 3 brothers.
In1946, she graduated from Rochester Ag school in Rochester, Wi. After graduation, and still living in Wind Lake, she met and married Clifford Harold Heise on March 6, 1947, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church at Durham Hill. They built a house together in Wind Lake and became the proud parents of 4 children, John, Deborah, Arlene and Scott.
Eleanor started out as a farmer’s wife working on her in-law’s farm down the road. When dad made a career change a few years later, she became a homemaker. She spent time gardening, canning, baking and sewing everything … even diapers! These early years were spent living in Wind Lake raising their four children before moving to Muskego in the mid-seventies. Eleanor decided to go to work once their kids were grown and spent 17 years as a CNA at Edgewood Nursing Home in Brookfield. She was a gentle, kind, and loving employee who treated the residents with care and respect. Her dedication to helping others would often have her staying late or volunteering for double shifts.
In her free time, Eleanor liked doing crafts such as flower making and needle work like cross stitching and crocheting. A big part of her life was music. She loved playing her piano and the guitar.
Later in life Eleanor did a lot of traveling with her sister, Norma, and friend Donna. Nashville was a must where they went to see the country stars at the Grand Ole Opry many times. She would tell stories about her front row seats and meeting over 100 stars, shaking hands, and getting autographs. She also enjoyed spending many days and nights on her computer playing Scrabble over the internet with her sister, Carol, who lived in Wyoming. Oh, the laughter and crazy fun they had even being so many miles apart.
Eleanor collected elephants, and we all used to joke about her memory being just like an elephant’s. She remembered everything even through her 90's. All grandchildren and their spouses’ names - first and middle and their birthdays as well as her great grandchildren’s names and birthdays. She was a great storyteller because of her amazing memory.
As the years went by, she moved to a senior living apartment in Eagle, WI. There she met Michele, who was her home health aide, and became her great friend over the years. Playing Yahtzee at the kitchen table became a daily competition with 10 cents going to the winner.
Sadly, changes in Eleanor’s health had her move into the East Troy Manor Nursing Home. During her time there she enjoyed singing, going to church on Sundays, and joining in other activities. The East Troy healthcare workers took wonderful care of her. She was loved by many, and we are so thankful for her time there.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Clifford Heise and daughter Debbie Siefert, and son in laws Brian Schneider and Greg Sievers.
Eleanor is survived by her children John (Kathleen), Arlene and Scott (Cheryl). Being a grandmother to 13 and great-grandmother to 20, and with her first great-great grandchild on the way was her greatest joy. Her love was immense, and her time spent with them meant the world to her. She was also a beloved aunt to her loving nieces and nephews, who brought her much happiness.
Eleanor had a wonderful sense of humor and made our world a happier place. 97 years is a grand accomplishment. She fought many battles and always made it through with determination and a strength that is very rare.
She was deeply loved and will be missed forever.
A graveside service will take place on Wednesday, September 2 at 2PM at Oakwood Cemetery in Waterford (4826 State Hwy 83).
