Eleonore E. Brtva

February 2, 1934 – April 27, 2024

Eleonore was a unique woman of substance who was loved, dedicated to helping others, and will always be cherished. Most recently of North Las Vegas, NV, she started life anew there, aging gracefully at her beautiful home in the picturesque desert valley of Nevada until a stroke led to her being called Home.

Her innate capacity for caring for others led Eleonore to become a registered nurse. She was a proud graduate of the Silver Cross Hospital nursing program and worked there for most of her 40-year career in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after graduating from Joliet Township High School (Joliet Central). It was while working at Silver Cross Hospital that she met her husband-to-be, Ralph, a patient who was recovering from a farming accident. Years later, Eleonore would finish her nursing career with Drs. Abilio and Luvisminda Milo who, along with their esteemed family, would become like family to Eleonore and Ralph. Naturally, her vocation to love and serve often extended to family and friends, as she graciously took in parents, stepchildren and grandkids and provided them with a safe environment in which to heal and thrive.

Eleonore lived in Homer Township, IL most of her life, where she and Ralph spent many hardworking years raising their family and enjoying the great outdoors as much as their medical professions. Theirs was a genuine "Boy Scouts of America" family and Eleonore enjoyed being actively involved for many years in Boy Scout Troop No. 63, earning the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor for a Scouting volunteer at the council level. And if there was anywhere Eleonore loved to be with her family it was Disney World, where they had many happy times together. She also greatly enjoyed traveling to Germany to visit extended family and reconnect with her German heritage.

Later in life, when Eleonore relocated to North Las Vegas, she was blessed with friends Cheryl and Terry Sago (who did so much for Eleonore over the years and for which the family is forever grateful); Holly and Tim Strasser; Ericka and Nick Bonsanto; Al and Marie Marx; and Jim Moffenbier who became her Nevada family. She enjoyed their friendship, the weather, and especially the live concerts with them, including stellar Josh Groban and Andre Rieu performances. Recently, for her 90th birthday, Eleonore was serenaded by a barbershop quartet while surrounded by her family, neighbors, and close friends. In short, there was nothing Eleonore loved more than sustaining her connections with friends and family and this is how she lived life to its fullest.

Loved ones who cleared the path in Heaven for Eleonore were her father, Wilhelm Finhold, her mother, Pauline Rolf Finhold, and her beloved husband of 34 years, Ralph H. Brtva. Family who will miss Eleonore are Roger (Elly) Brtva; Richard (Teresa) Brtva; Elliot (Kat) Brtva; beloved cousin Heinz Sewing and the entire Sewing Family; Gail Graddy; Sean (Jessica) Graddy; Michelle (Tony) Scott; Diane Arnold; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, godchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The Brtva Family is especially thankful for the love and kindness shown by friends to Eleonore and us throughout her life and especially during these last few weeks. We are sincerely grateful to you all.

Visitation Friday, June 21, 2024, from 4:00 – 8:00pm at O'NEIL FUNERAL HOME 1105 E. 9th ST., Lockport.  Funeral Service and a celebration of her life on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 10:00am, followed by a procession to Elmhurst Cemetery (1212 E. Washington St., Joliet) For Info: (815) 838-5010 or www.oneilfuneralhome.com

A Nevada Celebration of Life will take place the following week in North Las Vegas with neighbors, family, and friends.

Finally, the family asks that in honor of Eleonore that you be sure to thank a nurse, especially those working in the ICU or hospice care.