Obituary: Eleanor Cain Hamilton

Eleanor Cain Hamilton 1/26/16 ~ 12/28/05 Eleanor Hamilton, 89, passed away peacefully, generously, at home with her family on. Dec. 28, 2005. She was born Eleanor Louise Benson to Martin and Mary Benson on their farm near Spiritwood, North Dakota on Jan. 26th, 1916. She graduated Teacher's College and taught school in one-room schools in Spiritwood and Eldredge ND. in the 1930's. She sang at competitions, weddings, funerals and on the radio in Bismarck in the 30's. In 1939 she married Calvin Hamilton and began life with him and his family in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where they lived in Sturgis and Deadwood where she gave birth to their first son, Barton. In 1942, the "Hamilton Clan" moved to Salt Lake City, Utah to find work. In 1944 she gave birth to her daughter Maxine Elaine. In 1945 she lost her only brother, Elwood Benson, in France in World War II. In Sept 1947, she lost her only son Barton, six, to diphtheria. In Jan. 1949, she gave birth to her second son, Marvin Len. On Dec. 28, 1976 her husband of 37 years Calvin, died from a rare illness. She was an elementary school teacher, homemaker and Rose Park's Avon lady for 25 years. She was a "Pink Lady" where she worked the information desk at Holy Cross Hospital until the past year, and just received an award for over 6,000 volunteer hours. She was a member of the First Methodist Church; it's choir, it's Women's Circle and bowling leagues for many years. She was a member in good standing of Alanon since 1953. She married Don Cain Oct. 1987 and became part of a whole new loving family. He died in 1992. She is also preceded in death by most of her family and friends including her parents, Martin and Mary Benson, parents -in-law, William Earl and Una Hamilton, brothers-in-law Irvin and Robert Hamilton, dear friend and sister in law Helen Hamilton, and many cousins, aunts and uncles in North and South Dakotas. Eleanor is survived by her daughter, Maxine Mickelsen, son, Marvin Hamilton, granddaughters Jodi Palacios and Heidi Robinson and their families, great-grandchildren, Don Cain's family, the Hamiltons and Smiths and their families in Salt Lake, Idaho, and California, and many loving friends and family from Alanon, AA, Holy Cross Hospital, First Methodist Church, Utah Air National Guard and new friends and family of Community Nursing Service and Hospice. Eleanor was sweet, kind, loving, generous and thoughtful right up to the end. She never closed her heart to anyone. Funeral services and interment will be Tues., Jan 3rd at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S., Salt Lake City, UT at 11:00 a.m. where friends and family may call an hour prior to pay their respects. www.larkinmortuary.com