Eleanor Mary Georgeson

Georgeson, Eleanor Mary Ballard, died peacefully at Bethel Lutheran Home, on Thursday, May 16, 2024, after 96 healthy years. She was a loyal, kind, and loving friend, mother, and partner. She was someone who could always distill a crisis or issue down to a simple solution and a positive resolution. Some will remember her lovely and always ready smile. She is survived by her son, Gregory Hurst (Karen), daughter Nancy McCall (Rex), and stepson, Ken Georgeson. Eleanor's grandchildren are Jonathan Hurst (Kelly), Caitlin Keen (Doug), and step-grandchildren Dana Georgeson and Dustin Georgeson. She is also survived by five great grandchildren, who are Jane and Anne Hurst, and Wilder, Ever and Hawker Keen and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband, William Hurst, her second husband Leland Georgeson, her brother William Ballard, and by her parents, Ralph and Mary Ballard (Showell). Eleanor was born in Seattle, Washington on July 18, 1927. She and her family moved to Oroville, Washington in 1932 so that her dad, who was a pharmacist, could open a new drug store and enjoy life on the lake and in a smaller town. When she was seven years old Eleanor was given her first horse. As a child, she rode her horse in the annual May Day parades in Oroville, but when she was elected May Queen during her senior year of high school, she rode instead, on the May Queen Float. She enjoyed being a member of the Rainbow Girls. In 1938, she started working at her father's drug store where she helped out before and after school. She loved growing up in Oroville and loved country life and animals. An accomplished horseback rider, she found a way to own a horse or two for most of her life. While living in Corona del Mar, she boarded horses and rode with willing family members along the beach and ocean surf. While on the farm in Caruthers, she was able to keep several horses for grandchildren to learn the skills. She obtained her degree from the University of Southern California that led to a satisfying career in Dental Hygiene. She met and married Bill Hurst in 1949 and they moved to Denver where she supported the family while Bill completed his engineering degree at the University of Denver. After Bill's graduation, they returned to Southern California, to be near family and to raise her son and daughter. Eleanor was a practicing Dental Hygienist in Colorado and in California. After Bill and Eleanor divorced, Eleanor married Leland Georgeson in 1976, and retired from Dental Hygiene. She joined her new husband at his multi-generational farm in Caruthers, California. Eleanor and Leland vacationed all around the West visiting the mountains, deserts, and beaches in their RV. They belonged to the area mule association and more than once joined an annual covered wagon "train", riding through Death Valley. She was a voracious reader and showed the best way to be patient when waiting was to carry a small book to read (a paperback in her purse) at all times. Eleanor was always interested in attending family activities and events. She never missed a reasonable opportunity to attend family reunions, cub scout and campfire girl meetings, graduations, birthday and holiday celebrations. She was always the family communicator, sending cards and letters and keeping in touch with people she knew. Eleanor loved her family more than anything else. She will be greatly missed by anyone who knew her kind, generous, and thoughtful ways. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Eleanor's memory to donors favorite charity. Visit Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel website https://www.creightonchapel.com/ to share memories. Her ashes will be interned at Squaw Valley Cemetery.

Eleanor Mary Georgeson

July 18, 1927 - May 16, 2024