Eleanor Ruth Golden

Eleanor Ruth Golden of Charlotte, NC, formerly of Mokena, IL peacefully passed away surrounded by family on July 31, 2026, just a few days shy of her 91st birthday. She leaves behind a legacy of love, caring and devotion to her family.

Eleanor was born in Tinley Park, IL to parents A. Raymond Larimore and Ruth Kann. She attended Orland Park High School. In 1952 she married Eugene W. Golden and gave birth to Eugene J. Golden in San Francisco, CA in 1954. She was widowed in 1954 and then married Richard A. Golden in 1955 in Joliet, IL.

With Richard, Eleanor built a life and two houses in Mokena. They raised Eugene (Deborah of Lenexa, KS) along with four children through their 64 years of marriage: David (Maureen) of Davidson, NC; Frank (Louise) of Fort Mill, SC; Ted (Cindy) of West Olive, MI; and Laura (Dan) Allen of Mount Holly, NC. She was a proud and caring mom of her 5 children.

Eleanor was devoted to her 12 grandchildren, Timothy Golden, Cassandra (Jeffrey) Davidson, Carissa (Brian) Shelton, Robert (Elizabeth) Golden, Kevin Mitchell, Matthew (Jennifer) Golden, Jeffrey (Michelle) Golden, Kimberly (Michael) Herrera, Ryan (Sarah) Golden, Lisa Golden, Aimee (Todd) Barnhill, and Nicholas (Sarah) Allen. She thoroughly enjoyed time with her 16 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Eleanor was very active in her home church, Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church in Mokena, IL. Throughout her life, she enjoyed crafting, baking and sewing and held leadership roles in the church’s Ruth Society as well as other organizations, events and activities throughout the community. She moved to Charlotte in 2020 to be near her children. The family would like to thank the staff at the Sanctuary-Cotillion in Charlotte and Via Health Hospice for their support and care of Eleanor.

In addition to Richard and both Eugene W and Eugene J, Eleanor was preceded in death by daughter-in-law Donna J. Golden, her parents, loving sisters Mary Ann (Pat) Kethcart and Joan (John) Saragosa, brothers Alfred and Wesley, half-brother Harold and beloved Uncle Emil and Aunt Rose Johnson.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2026 at Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, 10731 W. LaPorte Rd., Mokena with visitation from 10:00-11:00 prior to the service. Cremation rites have been accorded and interment will be with Richard at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery,20953 W. Hoff Rd., Elwood, IL after the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations to Via Health Hospice of Charlotte (viagiving.org) or Immanuel Lutheran Church of Mokena, IL.