Eleanor E. Gambsky

Eleanor “Nel” E. Gambsky, age 90, of Menasha, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at Prairie Home Assisted Living. She was born on January 13, 1924, daughter of the late Anton and Anna (Wessley) Eskofski. Eleanor graduated from St. Mary High School in 1942, and the next year married the love of her life, Ken Gambsky, in a ceremony at St. Mary Catholic Church.

Eleanor had a big heart and was always there for her family. She will be remembered for her large family meals and for the picnics on the farm she held for the nuns from St. Elizabeth Hospital. She was very focused on her family; especially her disabled daughter, who she was a caregiver of for over 40 years. Eleanor and Ken's selfless compassionate care of their daughter, earned them the VNA “Caregiver of the Year” award in 1993.

Eleanor is survived by her children: James (Jennifer) Gambsky, Kenneth (Christine) Gambsky, Charlotte (Terry) Olson, MaryLynn (Arleigh) Lueck, F. Joseph Gambsky, Kelly (Sheri) Gambsky, Spencer (Doris) Gambsky, and Stacy (Steve) Hopper; 30 grandchildren; 3 step grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 8 step great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild. She is further survived by her sister: Theresa Vanden Busch; sisters-in-law: Evelyn Gambsky and Beth Overton; and brother-in-law: Robert Huelsbeck. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Ken; daughter Barbara and granddaughter Shelley. She was also preceded by her sisters: Marcie Edwards and Delores Pocan; her brother Jim Eskofski; and brother-in-law Ed Vanden Busch.

The funeral liturgy for Eleanor will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2014, at ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHURCH, 410 West Lawrence Street, Appleton, with Fr. David J. Funk, OFM. CAP. officiating. A time of visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 17, 2014 at WICHMANN FUNERAL HOME TRI-COUNTY CHAPEL, 1592 Oneida St, Menasha, and at church on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.

The Gambsky family would like to thank the staff from Thedacare at Home Hospice, the staff at Prairie Home and Dr. Talbot, for their kindness and care. They would like to especially thank MaryLynn for the exceptional care she gave to her mother which will never be forgotten.