Eleanor Sarah Tucker, age 100, of Roscommon, died on Sunday, December 10, 2023, in Grayling, Michigan.
Eleanor was born September 28, 1923, in Roscommon, Michigan, the daughter of Oscar and Belle (Green) Carlson.
Eleanor lived on a farm in Roscommon where the building that used to be Chase Bank is today. She used to talk about the cow she had that she loved so much. Eleanor attended Gerrish Higgins School District and graduated high school with her brother John in 1941. While in school, she was editor of the Mikenauk, the class yearbook, and was the Student Council Financial Secretary in 1940. Eleanor was cast in the senior play “Meet the Folks”, along with her brother John. The graduating class program included Eleanor Carlson “Salutatory”, and she was one of 18 in the graduating class.
World War II came, and Eleanor’s 3 brothers enlisted, 2 in the US Army and one in the US Navy. Eleanor proudly enlisted in the US Marine Corp on May 20th, 1944. She was assigned active duty on October 16, 1944. In Virginia, Eleanor was secretary of the Marine Corps Rifle Range where she talked about how they let her fire a rifle although it was generally not allowed for women. She was sent to Pearl Harbor from Quantico, Virginia in 1945. When the war ended, Eleanor was on a ship in the ocean, and she mentioned the announcement was made over the loudspeakers and everyone cried, laughed, and started dancing with each other. Eleanor was honorably discharged on July 3, 1946, with the rank of Corporal, coming home from her station at Pearl Harbor. If anyone would refer to Eleanor as having “been a Marine,” she would proudly correct them and say, “once a Marine, always a Marine.” Eleanor was the oldest female Marine veteran, having served during World War II, residing in the State of Michigan.
Taking advantage of the government benefit allowing honorably discharged service personnel the opportunity to attend college, Eleanor enrolled at Michigan State College (before it became a university), graduating on June 7, 1953, with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
On returning to Roscommon from college, Eleanor attended a garden party at her sister Elizabeth’s home where she met her soon to become husband, Theodore Tucker. Their marriage included several moves around the state of Michigan due to Ted’s job as a DNR Forester. They had one child, Sarah. Eleanor and Ted decided Sarah should finish school in Roscommon. They returned to Roscommon for Sarah’s high school years in the Gerrish Higgins School District. After Sarah’s graduation, Sarah attended Kalamazoo College, where unfortunately, she became ill and passed away in 1979. Eleanor and Ted retired in Roscommon, living near Wallace Park. They remained active in the community until Ted’s untimely death in September 1999.
Eleanor was a generous, caring lady, who has donated to numerous community groups, been active with the VFW Post 4159, Historical Society, Community Center, and funded a Community Foundation grant in her daughter Sarah’s name. The grant is still active.
Eleanor will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by her nieces: Kathy Pardo-Carlson of Roscommon and Mary Alexander of Higgins Lake; nephew, Glen (Marie) Alexander of Fenton, Michigan; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Eleanor is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Theodore; daughter, Sarah; brothers: Owen Carlson, Jesse Carlson, John Carlson; sister, Elizabeth Alexander; and sister-in-law, Louise Carlson.
Family and friends will gather from 12 Noon until the time of the Memorial Service at 1:00 PM, on Monday, December 18, 2023, at Wagner and Walsh Funeral Directors, 143 Lake Street, Roscommon, Michigan 48653.
For our guests who are unable to attend the service for any reason, are encouraged to join us through the livestreaming at: https://www.facebook.com/wagnerandwalshfuneraldirectors
(Occasionally issues may occur considering location and availability of reception. When this occurs, the funeral home staff is prepared to record the service and then post it to the Facebook page. We appreciate your understanding).
If so desired, the family prefers memorial contributions be made in Eleanor’s name to the VFW Post 4159, or the Roscommon County Commission on Aging.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner and Walsh Funeral Directors, Roscommon.
