Eleanor Tangeman McMindes, 91, died Tuesday April 19, 2022 at The Cedars in McPherson, Kansas.
She was born February 15, 1931 on her family farm in Adams, Nebraska to Gerd and Tena Aden. She married Jack Tangeman on June 1, 1952 in Wymore, Nebraska. He preceded her in death on April 30, 1982. She married Delos “Jim” McMindes on July 5, 2008 in Hays, Kansas.
Eleanor dreamed of becoming a teacher since she was a child growing up in Nebraska. She started her career in education in a one-room school teaching grades K-8 in Gage County, Nebraska. She earned a B.S., M.S., and Ed.S degree from Fort Hays State University. She spent 38 years as an elementary and Title I reading teacher in Hays and Russell and was a part-time instructor at Fort Hays State University. She held leadership positions in the Kansas National Education Association, Kansas Reading Association, Phi Kappa Phi, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Hays Christian Women’s Club and Kansas Blue Cross Blue Shield Advisory Board and many more.
Her passion for education was evident in the various awards she received throughout her career. In 2000, she was awarded the Fort Hays State University – Cunningham Award from Phi Delta Kappa. This award was a peer-based award for outstanding contribution to education. She was inducted into the Kansas Teacher’s Hall of Fame in 2007. Her truly proudest moments were when former students took the time to reach out and tell her what a difference she made in their lives.
She loved to travel and she visited every state in the US and every continent except Antarctica with her dear friend Eloise Miller. She loved to bring back educational materials from various trips to share with her classroom students. One of her favorite trips was an educational exchange program with a university in China.
After she retired from teaching, Eleanor never slowed down long enough to let any grass grow under her feet. She joined her local chapter of AARP. She organized senior events and lobbied in Topeka for causes impacting Kansas seniors. She enjoyed participating in AARP events with her husband Jim. In 2017, Jim and Eleanor were awarded the AARP Ann Garvin Award for Excellence in Community Service.
Survivors include her husband, Jim McMindes, McPherson, Kansas; son, David and Vickie Tangeman, Salina, Kansas; daughter, Janis and Corbett Lawrence, Raleigh, North Carolina; grandchildren, Brian and Krystal Tangeman, Topeka, Kansas, Tara Heinemann, Haysville, Kansas, Mindy Frame, Mohave Valley, Arizona, Leslie and Robb Beeson, Creedmoor, North Carolina, Jackson Lawrence, Julie Lawrence of Charlotte, North Carolina; 7 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild. Her stepchildren, Deb and Dan Tice of McPherson, Kansas; Steven and Jimma McMindes of Richland Hills, Texas; David and Lizette McMindes of Salisbury, Maryland; and Barbara and Barry Lillemon of Laguna Niguel, California; 11 step grandchildren, 17 step great grandchildren, 1 step great great grandchild; In-laws Margaret Lange, Marysville, Kansas; Patricia and Larry Lemon, Topeka, Kansas; numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Gerd and Tena Aden; husband, Jack Tangeman; son, Ronald Tangeman; grandsons, Christopher Tangeman Frame and Brent Tangeman; brothers, Edvert Aden, Melvin Aden and sister, Leona Simonds.
Services will be held July 9, 2022 at Messiah Lutheran Church, Hays, Kansas where Eleanor had been a faithful member since 1959.
Memorials are suggested to The Jack L. and Eleanor Tangeman Scholarship in care of the College of Education, Fort Hays State University, 6oo Park Street, Hays, Kansas 67601; Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main Street, Hays, Kansas 67601; or donate to help a local school or educator of your choice.