Eleanore Krage Stockum

Eleanore Krage Stockum, age 94, died on December 14, 2023, in Washington, DC. 

Eleanore Rose Krage was born in Houston, Minnesota, on March 14, 1929, and was the 6th of 8 children from parents Sophie Kowalewski and William Krage of Houston, Minnesota. Eleanore graduated from Houston High School in 1946, the College of St. Teresa in 1950 with a BA in English, and Marquette University in 1953 with an MA in English.

She was a high school teacher in Minnesota, an editorial assistant for the Catholic Renaissance Society at Marquette, and later copy editor for the U.S. Savings and Loan League in Chicago.

In 1954, she travelled to Germany where she was chief of administration, Comptroller Section, with the U.S. Army in Nuremberg. There she met and married Ernest John (Jack) Stockum and returned to the United States in 1958 and lived in Dayton, Ohio. 

She became a professor of English Literature at the University of Dayton in 1958 and retired in 1993. She co-authored, Getting Started: A Preface to Writing, in 1971, published by Norton.  She enjoyed reading, travelling, history and the arts, and she championed many causes including child welfare, animal welfare, civil rights, women's rights, historic preservation, and the environment. 

Eleanore is survived by her sister, Janny Krage Harris; two of her three children: Cynthia Cox and William Stockum (Steve Stockum deceased 2019); and five grandchildren: Alex Stockum, Sophie Stockum, Sarah Stockum, Katie Stockum and Eleanor Cox.   She is also survived by approximately 44 nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10 AM until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 AM on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka in Winona.  The Very Reverend Patrick Arens will officiate.  Eleanore will be laid to rest at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the following charities:  Doctors Without Borders, World Wildlife Fund, Winona Humane Society, or the Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka.

Online condolences or memories may be left for Eleanore’s family at www.watkowski-mulyck.com.

Watkowski-Mulyck Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.