Eleanore R. Cantrell

Eleanore "Ellie" Rose Cantrell, 79, of McCook Lake, formerly of Chicago, Ill., died Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015, at Stoney Brook Suites in Dakota Dunes.
According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Michael Erpelding officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Saturday at the church. Private services for Ellie and her late husband, Tim, will be at a later date at South Padre Island, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.
Ellie Cantrell was born on Aug. 29, 1935, in Chicago, the daughter of August and Eleanore Machura. Ellie was raised and educated in Chicago, moving to Sioux City with her family in 1959.
She married Tim Cantrell on Feb. 2, 1982, in McCook Lake. They resided at the lake for more than 30 years.
She enjoyed fishing and boating with her family, traveling and rock hunting with her husband, and spending the winter months at their home in south Texas.
Ellie was born with a great compassion for all animals, and she spent most of her adult life involved in animal welfare. She was a lifetime member and past president of the Sioux Valley Kennel Club. She worked as a veterinary assistant in Sioux City for eight years. From 1984 to1994, she was the executive director of the Sioux City Humane Society.
She served four years as a member of the board of directors of the Iowa Federation of Humane Societies, working diligently with the state of Iowa for reform in laws and penalties regarding cruelty to animals, and to have the state code define what was adequate care and welfare of all animals, initiating changes for many violations from simple misdemeanors to a felony penalty charge. She retired from the Humane Society in 1994.
Several years after her retirement, she returned to the work force as an insurance agent for American Income Life. Later, she worked as an employment representative for the state of South Dakota.
She was a member and organist for many years at McCook Lake Baptist Church. She was a lifetime member of St. Veronica's Society, and Society of the Little Flower. She was a member of St. Boniface Parish.
Survivors include six of her seven children by her previous marriage to Fred Rarrat of Chicago, Cynthia (Tim) Simons of Sahuarita, Ariz., Fred B. (Carissa) Rarrat of Sioux City, Michael (Karla) Rarrat of Mathis, Texas, Christina (Richard) Rodgers of Mathis, Joseph (Patty) Rarrat of Jefferson, S.D., and Rebecca (Kevin) Parks of Sioux City; 25 grandchildren; and 31 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Tim; her beloved daughter, Laurie Ann Messner; two brothers, Stan and August Machura; and her parents.
Memorials may be directed to Siouxland Humane Society.