March 23, 2018 – West Bend, WI – Eleanor “Babe” Knitter Stevens, of West Bend, WI, passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at Ivy Manor surrounded by her loving family.
Babe was born February 17, 1919, she was raised in Milwaukee, WI by her mother, Catherine Knitter. Later joining the USO at the Great Lakes Naval Air Station, Babe met the love of her life, Hunter Randolph Stevens Jr.
Eleanor and Hunter moved to Random Lake, WI and then to West Bend, WI to raise their three sons. While Hunter traveled the United States for work, Babe maintained the role as the homemaker for her sons. All while surviving breast cancer treatment and surgery. After retirement, Hunter and Babe opened Long Boy Subs & Pizza in West Bend, WI. Later they became snowbirds to Rockledge, Florida.
Babe leaves behind her two sons, Randall (Tracy) Stevens of Ohio and Rod Stevens of Wisconsin; sister, Lori Knitter King; and sister-in-law, Marian Knitter both of Slinger, WI. Babe was blessed with grandchildren, Tara, Amber, Alexandra, Samantha, and Nicholas; along with two great-grandsons, Jonathan and William; and many nieces and nephews.
Preceding Eleanor in death were her parents; two brothers, Jerome and Raymond; her eldest son, Hunter R. Stevens III; and her husband of 69 years, Hunter R. Stevens Jr.
Funeral services in remembrance of Eleanor “Babe,” will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 5:30 pm at the Myrhum-Patten Funeral Home (1315 W. Washington St. West Bend). Visitation will be at the funeral home from 3:30 pm-5:30 pm with a service immediately following.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the caregivers and staff at Ivy Manor for all their tender love and care during Babe’s battle with Alzheimer’s/dementia. The family would also like to extend an additional thank you to Serenity Hospice for their excellent care and professionalism in Babe’s final days, especially to Connie, Tracy, and Rhonda.
Memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association are greatly appreciated by the family.