Eleanor Friedli

Eleanor (Ellie) R. Friedli, 97, passed away peacefully at home, on June 16, 2025, embraced in the love of her family.

Eleanor was born on May 25, 1928 to Harold and Loreen Byers. Eleanor spent her childhood on a farm in Crawford County with her nine siblings. She married Claire Sikir in 1951 until his passing in 1954. Eleanor married Charles Friedli in 1957 and they were married 63 years until his passing in 2021. They raised their children in Madison and rural Cottage Grove. After retirement they moved to Boscobel and later to Stoughton. Eleanor worked for 24 years as a nursing assistant and physical therapy aide at St. Mary’s Hospital, retiring on May 25, 1990.

Eleanor was a loving, caring person who put other’s needs ahead of her own. She was a great cook, enjoyed baking, and could can or freeze any kind of fruit or vegetable. Raising six children did not allow Ellie much time for herself. As the children started to leave home, she was able to pursue her other interests. Ellie spent hours doing counted cross stitch projects that were given as gifts to family and friends. She enjoyed many types of crafts and could often be found in the craft room of the Skaalen Retirement Community where she volunteered. Ellie and Chuck created beautiful flower gardens around their homes where they could relax and enjoy the birds and wildlife. Together they camped their way across the US staying at lesser known campgrounds and getting travel tips from locals when stopping at small town diners for a meal.

Eleanor is survived by her children, Claire (Debbie) Friedli, Ricky (Chris Beam) Friedli, Steven Friedli, Michael (Sherry) Friedli, David (Marie) Friedli, Roselyn (Dean) Sinnett; Ten grandchildren; Seventeen great-grandchildren; siblings, Shirley Cornils, Kenneth Byers, Karon (Robert) Kuykendall, Ivan Byers, Kerry (Sharon) Byers.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles F Friedli; brothers, Douglas Byers, Clarence Byers; sisters, Dorothy Bell, Katherine Flansburgh; grandson, Jeremy Friedli; and first husband, Claire Sikir.

Funeral services will take place at 11AM on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at Cress Funeral Service in Stoughton. A visitation will take place from 9AM until the time of service. A catered luncheon will be held at Viking Lanes in Stoughton at 12. The burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park, Monona, at 3PM.

The service can be virtually attended at https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=2de67552-2f1a-49eb-b803-362d890fa22b

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Agrace Foundation, 5395 E Cheryl Parkway, Madison, WI 53711. 

The family would like to give special thanks to Agrace Hospice Staff for their exceptional care for Ellie.