Eleanor Aurelia Barney, age 95, of Oshkosh, passed away on Sunday May 3, 2020 at Theda Clark Hospital, Neenah. Eleanor was born on February 15, 1925 to Joseph and Stephanie Chikoske. She attended school in Oshkosh and at an early age professed her faith in Jesus Christ. She attended church at St. Josaphat's and St. Mary's in Oshkosh. Eleanor was united in holy matrimony to William T. Barney in April of 1950. The union was blessed with five children. William preceded her in death in February of 2000. Early in her life, Eleanor was employed by the Harmon Insurance Agency as a secretary. After her first child, she became a full time "stay at home" mom. Eleanor then spent her life dedicating herself to her family. Besides being an excellent cook, she loved to garden and to spend time with her grandchildren. Words that best describe her are kind, gentle, sensitive, vulnerable, beautiful, hard -working and wise.
Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Mary Ellen (Clair) Rasmussen of Winneconne, WI, Carol (Larry) Kolb of Germantown, WI, David Barney and fiance Anthoinette Vanden Meerendonk of Winneconne, WI, William Barney Jr. of Oshkosh, WI and Steven Barney of Oshkosh, WI; eight grandchildren: Stephanie, Lori, Jesse, Kim, Paul, Melissa, Matt and Chrissy; 11 great- grandchildren, couisns: William and Jane Thesing and their daughter, Amy (Mike) Schad, and baby Matthew, and Terryl (John) Rastorfer and their son John Rastorfer III. Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Genevieve; a brother, Ralph; and a daughter-in-law, Patricia A. Barney.
Private services and burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery in Oshkosh. A special funeral mass will be held at a later date. The family wishes to thank those who cared for her during her last years spent at Bella Vista and days spent at Theda Clark Hospital.