Eleanor Dorothy (Stachoske) Perry

Eleanor Dorothy Perry was born June 11, 1922 to Reinhold and Christina Stachoske in Baldur, Manitoba, Canada. She met William Byron Perry. They were married January 1, 1943 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, shortly after he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Their first child, Pat was born while Bill was flying missions overseas. Bill had dual citizenship and when he returned home from WWII, the young family moved to the United States. Bill enrolled in Optometry School in Chicago.

Following school and several work locations, the Perrys settled in Aurora, Colorado where Bill and Eleanor owned an Optometry Practice. The family had grown with the addition of Wayne, Pam, Garry, Eloise, and Brad. Bill started a second practice in Wray in 1961 and he travelled between the two practices. In 1965, they sold their Aurora practice to make Wray their permanent home. In addition to Wray, they had locations in Yuma and Holyoke.

Bill passed away unexpectedly in 1972, leaving Eleanor with three children still in elementary and high school. She was able to keep her office open, with the help of an Optometrist doing exams in Wray, while Eleanor dispensed, fitted and repaired eyewear, Doctor Wayne Nichols purchased the practice and Eleanor continued to do the optical work for him. When Doctor Nichols retired, Larry Mich offered Eleanor an office in his building, where she opened Perry Optical in 1982. Eleanor continued to work until she was eighty.

Larry and Eleanor both lost their spouses at a young age and when their children left home, they began to enjoy each other’s company by traveling, dining out, dancing and an occasional trip to Las Vegas. Eleanor was an avid fan of the Broncos, Rockies, and the Avalanche. She followed her children and grandchildren while they participated in sports.

Eleanor passed away March 10, at Hillcrest Care Center, at ninety-three years and nine months. She leaves surviving her children, Patricia Perry of Denver, Wayne Perry of Dallas, Pam and Dean Wingfield of Vernon, Garry and Toni Perry of Berthoud, Eloise and Jim Fonte of Arvada, and Brad and Robin Perry of Wiggins. Twelve grandchildren survive her; Bill Perry; Scott and Jeff Wingfield; Hollie and Lacy Perry; Matt, Paul, Katherine, Ben Fonte; Nicole Grein and Austin and Tyler Perry. She is survived by ten great-grandchildren and her only niece, Jane Vandal and husband, Joe, of Winnipeg.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bill, sisters, Gertie and Norma, and all her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She was the last of her generation, on both sides of the family.
Services were held March 14, at Wray United Methodist Church with Pastor Jim Calhoun officiating. Interment was at Grandview Cemetery. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. The family requests memorials to Wray Community Hospital and Hillcrest Care Center.