Eleanor A. Corning

Eleanor A. Corning, 89 of Rio, passed away November 13, 2023, at the Heritage House. She was born February 6, 1934, at home in Dekorra Township to Vern and Elsie (Halverson) Peterson. Eleanor was united in marriage to Donald D. Corning on May 26, 1956, at Dekorra Lutheran Church. 

She graduated from Poynette High School on May 23, 1951. In July, she started working as a stenographer at the WI Conservation Department in Poynette. She worked there from July 1951 to June 1956, when she transferred to the Madison State office building.

They bought a home in Lewiston Township, where they lived for several years and enjoyed many good friends. They then moved to Poynette and raised their children there. In 1990 they bought a home in Rio, where they lived until she moved to Portage in her final years.

She joined the Lake Wisconsin Women’s Pool League, which she enjoyed for many years. She also played in a horseshoe league. She also loved baking, sewing, playing cards, and camping trips with her husband and children.

Eleanor is survived by two sons, David (April) Corning of Montello and Craig (Rhonda) Corning of Rio; two daughters, Cheryl (Jeff) Dolsey of Black River Falls and Dawn Twing of Pardeeville; sisters-in-law, Barbara Peterson of Pardeeville, Shirley Peterson of Sheboygan, and Janet Corning of Rio; eleven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Corning of 51 years; both parents; two brothers, LaVern Peterson of Sheboygan and Jerome Peterson of Pardeeville and son-in-law Mark Twing of Pardeeville.

Funeral services will be held Monday, November 20 at 11 AM at Grasse Funeral Home in Rio. Visitation will be held from 9:30 AM until the time of service. A special thank you to the staff at Heritage House Assisted Living of Portage and Agrace Hospice. 

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