Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
Eileen Ethington was born in a farmhouse outside of Clay Center, Nebraska to Oliver and Clara Schliep. She was the youngest of 4 children. She attended Clay Center Public Schools and upon graduation she moved to Lincoln, NE. She was employed at a bank in Lincoln and made several lifelong friends. While living in Lincoln, NE, she met Ron Ethington. They were married and have celebrated 56 years of marriage. They lived in many communities and were blessed by having met great friends in each community. They have 3 children, Andrea, Matt (Raimy), and Robyn. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren, Olivia, Maxwell, Grey, Milan, and Grant. She enjoyed listening to them play in a band, attending their sporting events, watching their horseback riding lessons and many other activities.
She is also survived by her oldest brother and his wife, Wesley and Marilyn and sister in laws, Fran and Shirley. She is survived by a plethora of other family members including nieces, nephews, and cousins who she cherished dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother Duane, a sister Ardis and her husband Don, nephews Bruce and Jake and niece Tayler.
Eileen had an incredible capacity to love, finding the good and the humor in all situations. That was coupled with a great wit; she loved to be surrounded by friends, family and to laugh. After her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer God blessed her family and friends with 45 days to ensure that they could let her know of the love and magic she brought into their lives. She peacefully passed away in her home surrounded with love. She was able to tell her family goodbye and for them to tell her goodbye. Her family asks that you also follow the advice she gave to her grandkids, “in all that you do, treat others always with kindness (even when you don’t want to), you will never regret being kind”. She raised her family in the Lutheran Church as she was. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and was a Youth Sponsor amongst other church activities. During the last days of her life, she relied heavily on her faith in Jesus as her Savior and took respite in knowing that she would have eternal life.
A funeral is being planned for April 20th at 11:00 am at Christ the Shepherd Lutheran Church in Alpharetta, GA, a small luncheon fellowship following. The service may be streamed at this website address https://cts.org/media/live .
Another celebration of life will be held in Clay Center, Nebraska at a later date. If you are so inclined, memorials can be made to Pancan.org to fund research for pancreatic cancer, or to your favorite charity in Eileen’s name.
Fosler Jennifer says
Such a beautiful memorial to Eileen. She was a great friend and family member to so many. She will be missed dearly.
Gary and Carolyn says
Eileen loved so many and was greatly loved by so many. We feel so honored and blessed to be a part of Eileen and Ron’s life for all these years. Our children have grown up and remained connected and loving on another. Eileen will forever be in our hearts and, one day, we will again be reunited. God’s peace and love.
Lara Lange says
So sorry for the loss of this wonderful lady that we got to reconnect with last august. Lots and lots of Love to the Schleip family.
Scott Wiles says
Eileen was a bright spot throughout our lives growing up. I will miss her smile, her wit, her laugh and her kindness. She has left a fantastic legacy and touched many lives, which is what we should all hope for.
Kandy Husbands says
I only met Eileen a couple times but knew she was a special person. Still, I mourn her passing along with her special friends and family.
Rich & Janice Eaton says
Eileen and Ron have been special friends for many years. She was such a loving person who welcomed us into their home many times.
We shared a special bond of friendship. This is a beautiful tribute to her. Thank you for sharing.
Joyce and Rollie Zahn says
Eileen was such a special friend and the memories we have with she and Ron are ones that we will always treasure. She was always so caring, thoughtful, loving and full of life. Eileen had the best memory and would always recall all the crazy things that happened to us and we would have a really good laugh!! Heaven gained another angel.
Angela Blakley says
There will never be another Eileen. When she was with you, she made you feel like the most important person in the universe. She could make you laugh and help you feel better about the world. I believe everyone who met Eileen, knew she was special and instantly fell in love with her. We were all blessed to have had her and her family in our lives. God Bless❤️
Becky and Rick Groff says
We were so lucky to get to spend time with Eileen and Ron on several occasions. We had so much fun and laughter when we were together. We will miss her. Thank you for making Eileen’s service available through streaming. We will plan to join in.
Bridget Kirkpatrick says
We are so sad to know that you’re going thru this terrible loss. Sending you our hugs and we are praying for your hearts to be flooded with the peace of the “passes all understanding” variety.
Pam Overturf says
Eileen was a special friend in Clay Center School & we also both went to Lincoln to work. I spent lots of fun times with Ron & Eileen in Lincoln. We continued a distance friendship when I married & settled in Sutton area. I will miss her bubbly personality!!!
Sean Kennedy says
I was lucky to have met Eileen at the tender age of 10 years. Robyn and I were close friends and our families spent a lot of time together during those years in Oklahoma. She was a special person who treated this very awkward boy well and always made me feel welcome. Played many games with us and just made me feel like part of the family when i was there. It saddens my heart that she is no longer with us, but I am so happy that in her last days she was surrounded by family and love. I wish nothing but healing and love for the Ethingtons and they have my sincerest of condolences.
Dale and Linda Thomas says
We laughed, we cried, we traveled and played , we followed them on their many moves, and when they “came home” they had the use of a car and “ the Ethington suite “ as Eileen dubbed it, to visit the many relatives .Our sadness is great, losing Eileen, but also for her family, Ron, Matt, Andrea, and Robyn, and their Significant others,Raimy and Zaric, but also her beautiful grandchildren she adored.
I’m so glad we were there to usher her off to heaven and included as family.
(It me in mind of) as Eileen used to say, the last lines of WH Auden’s famous poem:
The stars are not wanted now,
put out everyone
Pack up the moon, and dismantle the sun.
Pour out the ocean, and sweep up the wood
For nothing now will seem as it should.
I took creative license with the last line, but it was better suited.. you are loved and missed , Eileen ❤️
Eileen Hinrichs says
I will never forget our last hug as she and Ron were leaving Wes & Marilyn’s farm last Sept. after the wonderful family gathering for Trusty Days. She had just finished a nice walk down the dusty farm road. We both shed tears. I never dreamed it would be the last time I saw her on earth as she gave no indication of any illness. Her sweet, kind and funny soul is now entertaining angels and reuniting with loved ones who went before. Imagine the joy! Dear family, grieve, for you must. And remember all the good times, things she said and did and how she made you feel. Say her name often and out loud for it is healing. May the God of all comfort fill you with divine strength and peace to go on with your lives. She would want that. We will hug her again one day in the presence of Jesus as we walk on streets of gold.
“… The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh. 8:10
Danelle & Paul Haakenson says
Always kind and loving. Eileen will be missed! So grateful to have had her as our friend.
Carolyn & Dan Fielder says
The Ethington’s were our neighbors in Tulsa Oklahoma. Our families became friends and we had so much fun together. Eileen was a wonderful person. She had a wonderful sense of humor always seeing the humor in situations. She was such a good friend to me and, even when we hadn’t been in contact with each other for a long time we could pick up the phone and it would seem like we could pick up where we left off. She touched many lives and I know she will be missed by everyone who knew her, To know her was to love her. I am deeply saddened to find out she is gone.