Eleanor Louise Chavez

Eleanor Louise (Williams) Chavez, 82, Wichita, Kansas, entered eternal glory on Monday, May 15, 2017. Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 18, and Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 19, both at Christ the King Catholic Church. Eleanor was born on July 13, 1934 in Onaga, Kansas. She met the love of her life, Pete Chavez in Topeka, KS and they were married on November 28, 1953. Due to Pete serving in the Air Force, they moved their growing family to Anchorage, AK, Colorado Springs, Ardmore, OK, Murfreesboro, TN before they settled in Wichita in 1960 where they raised their 10 children. Eleanor had a true servants heart that faithfully cared for family and friends, and was a woman of great faith. She had a special devotion to our Blessed Mother. Eleanor was always busy with something whether it was cooking, sewing matching outfits for her daughters and granddaughters, making jewelry, canning, gardening, or just spending time outdoors. She always greeted everyone with a smile and loved wearing hats! She volunteered at various pro-life organizations. Eleanor was very active in the Altar Society and other organizations in her parish, Christ the King, for nearly 50 years until she moved to the Catholic Care Center Assisted Living in 2012, and Memory Care in 2014, where she resided until her death. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Pete; her parents, Clarence and Louise Williams; her daughter, Julie Baum; and her son-in-law, Greg Baum. She is survived by nine children: Becki (Bill) Kilgore, Dr. Steve Chavez, Tammy (Kevin) Cook, Vic (Gretchen) Chavez, Teresa Chavez, Joe Chavez, Patrick Chavez, all of Wichita, and Tim (Mary Kay) Chavez of Independence, KS, and Sandi (Elan) Tenenbaum of West Palm Beach, FL. She was a doting grandmother to her 25 grandchildren, Aaron (Megan) Chavez and Alexis Chavez; Chris (Rachel) Chavez, Andrea (Cole) Meyer, Chelsea (Tyler) Pickett, Elise Chavez, Eva (Charles) Mohr and Juliana Chavez; Chad Cook (fianc Tierra), Brandon Cook, Brittany (Heath) Cook of Wichita; Nick Baum (fianc Natalee), Jenny (Jeremy) Gordon, Kristi (Marc) Hammerton and Lucas (Jackie) Baum; Travis (Tiffani) Gudenkauf, Kerby (Ryan) Epperly, Kelsey Gudenkauf, and Hannah Gudenkauf; Jeremy (Michelle) Payne, Cody Payne, and Zach Payne; Jade Chavez; Sean and Joshua Chavez. She is also survived by 27 great-grandchildren, cousins, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, and over 50 nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with Justice For All; Christian Foundation for Children and Aging; Christ the King Catholic Church; and Camp I Believe. Downing & Lahey Mortuary - West Chapel.