Eleanor Jane Gojmerac

Eleanor Jane Gojmerac, age 93, passed away on Monday, August 14, 2023. Born in Racine, Wisconsin, on April 16, 1930, she was the daughter of John and Caroline (Smith) Dykstra. After graduating from William Horlic High, Eleanor continued her studies and graduated from UW-Madison with a degree in education.

A mutual friend introduced Eleanor to Walter Gojmerac, at St. Paul’s University Chapel in Madison, where they were married two years later on July 30, 1955. After living in North Dakota, California, and Iowa, and expanding their family by five, the tenth and final move was back to Madison.  As a stay-at-home mom, family was central to Eleanor’s life.  She was a regular presence at her children’s and grandchildren’s events, including concerts, plays, and 4-H activities.  A dedicated member of Saint Maria Goretti Parish since 1965, Eleanor volunteered at both the church and the parish’s school library. For 45 years, she was actively involved with Dane County 4-H as a volunteer club leader and record keeper. Eleanor was an avid reader and also enjoyed needlepoint, latch-hook,  jigsaw puzzles, and bike riding.  She was always ready to play cards and board games with family members.  At 93, she still continued to outperform her children at crosswords and trivia.

She is survived by her children, David (Krystie), Ellen (Dan Olsen), Janet (Ted Underhill), and Karen (Dennis) Waldo; son-in-law John Lorence; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; brothers Charles (Marilyn) Dykstra and Ernest Dykstra; and many nieces and nephews. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Walter, oldest daughter Catherine Lorence, sister Betty Mae Temple, and parents.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023, at 11am, at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road in Madison. Visitation is at 10am until the service.

 The family would like to thank the thoughtful and compassionate staff that helped Eleanor these past few weeks at Meriter Hospital, Hebron Oaks Skilled Nursing and Agrace Hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to UW Foundation, PBS Wisconsin, or Dane County Library Service.