Elnor Rick age 87 of Blair, WI passed away on Friday, August 18, 2017 at Grand View Care Center, Blair, WI                 Elnor was born to Rudolph and Laura Hanson at their home in Bear Creek on January 27, 1930.  Her paternal grandmother Ellen Hanson, was a local mid-wife in Hegg and was brought to Hanson's by horse and buggy.  It was a cold and windy January with snow drifts up to the horses' stomachs!  Grandma Ellen helped deliver Elnor and cared for her following the birth.  Elnor weighed only 3 lbs., and with no local incubators, grandma Ellen put Elnor in a shoe box; then placed her in the oven to keep her warm and healthy.                 Elnor attended Blair High School and found work at Ray and Lil Bluske's doing general housework and caring for their three children, Monte, Lana and Marcia.  It was while she lived with the Bluske's that she met Leonard Rick (brother to Lil Bluske) and eventually married him on June 14, 1950 at First Lutheran Church---Pr. Conrad Urburg officiated.                 Elnor and Leonard made their home with Elnor's folks in Bear Creek until they could purchase the farm from the Hansons. On May 19, 1960, their farm house burned to the ground.  They lost wedding pictures/gifts/furniture/appliances/their beloved sheltie Lassie......everything except one table and one chair.  They were very thankful for Bryes store in Ettrick (like the Red Cross) who helped them with basic necessities and for First Lutheran who held a fund raiser which enabled the young couple to complete their home with donated items and funds.                                           In 1984 the Ricks sold their farm and moved to Blair.  They replaced Herbert and Kathy Allen as custodians at First Lutheran where Elnor also taught 3rd grade Sunday School for 7 years, and Leonard served as Sunday School Superintendent.  Over the years, Elnor enjoyed her employment and volunteer work at First Lutheran.  One of her favorite pastimes was sewing quilts for Lutheran Social Services.  She worked many years with the quilters at church and took quilts home to finish tying, hemming and packing around 100 quilts each year.                                Leonard passed in 1990, and Elnor continued working as custodian at First Lutheran until her debilitating fall at home in which she fractured her spinal cord.  After a lengthy hospital stay, Elnor moved into Grand View Care Center in December 2011,  where she received outstanding care.  Elnor's family is indebted to the staff at Grand View and is very grateful for  each one who assisted Elnor in her six years there.   Elnor is preceded in death by her parents, Rudolph and Laura Hanson                   Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at Blair Lutheran Church East at 11:00 a.m. Rev Kary Jonas officiating.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service in the church. Burial will follow at the Rest Haven Cemetery in Blair. Kratz Funeral Home-Portage is assisting the family with arrangements. (www.kratzfuneralhome.com) Service Details. Visitation Wednesday, August 23, 2017 10:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. Blair Lutheran Church East Service Blair Lutheran Church East 11:00 a.m. Interment Rest Haven Cemetery