Eleanor Lydia Stern, 99½, passed away on September 4, 2026, in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was born on March 7, 1927, in Benton Harbor, Michigan, to Carl and Emma Ratter.–
Eleanor was a kind and loving wife, mom, grandma, and great-grandma. She will be remembered most for one of her proudest accomplishments, the orphanage she started in Kenya, and for her passion for telling people about Jesus.
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Eleanor and her husband, Paul Stern, founded The Rock Church in Danville, Illinois. For the last 20 years, she was a member of Lincoln City Church in Lincoln, Nebraska.
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She loved to read and do needlework. Those who knew her loved her humor, her faith, her determination to persevere through all of life’s situations, and, above all, her love for her family.
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She also was a woman who appreciated her routines. Her schedule was important to her, as was her desire to look pretty every day. In her final months, she especially enjoyed spending time outdoors and keeping up a beautiful tan.
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Eleanor is survived by her children, Susan (Jerry) David, Phillip (Linda) Stern, and Jon (Molly) Stern; 23 grandchildren; 55 great-grandchildren & counting, with her first great-great-grandchild in October 2026; her 101-year-old sister-in-law, Barb; and her many, many friends. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her son Steve, her parents, and her siblings.
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A graveside service will be held on September 16, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at Wyuka Funeral Home & Cemetery, 3600 O Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.
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Memorials may be made to Kings Kids Village through encouragelife.org or through lincolncitychurch.org, with the designation KKV (Kings Kids Village).
What a truly remarkable woman of God. I feel grateful to have learned about her through Sarah’s heartfelt YouTube videos. It’s a little sad that I didn’t get to hear more about her wonderful life, but I prayed she would get to hold and adore her great-great-grandbaby. I’m rejoicing knowing she’s now home with Jesus and her loving husband. I also purchased her book today to remember her inspiring story.
Eleanor was an amazing woman sharing God’s love with so many people. I enjoyed hearing her stories and meeting so many of her wonderful family.
So sorry to hear of the loss of a great lady we all came to know here from her grandaughter Sarah an our tribe of many youtube videos, will be getting her book can’t wait to read it an will donate to KKK walk with God good an faithful servent. Thank you for bring her life to a wheelchair bound 61 yr old in Idaho God Bless you all
Remembering the Stern family in prayer today!! Eleanor was a true Psalmster and a mother in Zion. She was used of God in my personal life in the ministry of “Laying on of Hands” for me to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. She wrote “Spiritual songs” that rooted into your soul + spirit- one of which is my theme song of the Lord: “I have made Jesus Lord of my life, He has taken away all of my strife; I have contentment within…I live and move and have my being with Him…I have made Jesus Lord of my life.” Thank God for mother Eleanor!! God’s blessings to the family in celebrating Eleanor’s life of dedication to the Lord’s service knowing that she is part of the “great cloud of witnesses”!!
A to the men, aptly describing a mother of our faith. Poignant preacher. Grateful that Holy Spirit reminded us of Sr. Eleanor in recent years to send a card. Marilyn quotes Sr. Eleanor periodically with what she said before we were wed, “Love never gives up “