Eileen Chinnock, age 82, of Cambridge passed away June 25, 2008 at Grandview Christian Home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Monday, June 30th at Long Lake Lutheran Church with Pastor Howard Skulstad officiating. A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 29th at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel. Visitation also 1 hour prior to the service Monday at the church. Interment will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Eileen Edna Margret Schleif Chinnock, age 82, of Cambridge was born May 13, 1926 in Rockford, Minnesota to Lewis and Martha Schleif. Eileen was the oldest daughter of the 12 Schleif children.
Eileen went home to heaven on June 25, 2008 to be with her beloved husband Henry and to be with Jesus. Eileen was mom to Kevin (Michelle) and Nancy Nold; grandma to Jonathan (Kristen) Nold, Melissa Nold and Katie Chinnock. She was preceded in death her parents, Lewis and Martha Schleif; brothers, Harley, Arnold, Norman, Virgil, Leonard and Merle; sisters, Rosemary (Babe) and Betty. Eileen is survived by her son, Kevin (Michelle); daughter, Nancy Nold; 3 grandchildren, Jonathan (Kristen) Nold, Melissa Nold and Katie Chinnock; 2 sisters, Donna Dish and Arlys Gregory; 1 brother, Lewis Schleif; and by many nieces, nephews and friends.
Eileen left home with a friend to go to Seattle, Washington to work in an airplane factory as a Rosie Riveter. She returned home where she worked as an elevator operator in Minneapolis and later worked as a cashier for Red Owl.
Eileen met Henry while she was out with a friend roller skating. They dated and were married 6 months later. They lived in Minneapolis before moving to Brooklyn Park. God hadn’t blessed them with their own children until after several years of marriage but they had a very special niece, Roxanne, who was like their first child. When Kevin and Nancy were young they made the decision to move the family to Isanti (Bradford).
Eileen worked at the Bradford store for the first several years that they lived in Isanti and later went to work in Cambridge at the Super Value store. Eileen continued to work as a cashier at County Market even through her battles with colon cancer. She had many wonderful friends and customers from her days at the grocery stores.
Eileen loved the work that she did and the people that she got to meet over the years, but her true joy came from her family. Family was very important to both Eileen and Henry and that was obvious by the time they spent together as a family. They spent many vacations camping and fishing. Eileen loved to go out in the boat and fish. She also had enjoyed roller skating and bowling. When her grandchildren, Jonathan and Melissa, were born they added to her love of family and gave her and Henry the opportunity to do some additional traveling down south, to Europe and Hawaii. When Jonathan and Melissa moved to Minnesota both Eileen’s and Henry’s lives were consumed by spending time with their grandchildren. Many enjoyable hours were spent watching baseball games and swim meets, playing cards and games at break time. In the past few years Eileen was able to enjoy spending time with the youngest grandchild, Katie. She enjoyed playing with her, giving her cookies, and getting hugs and kisses from her. Eileen will be deeply missed by family and friends.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I will miss her deeply. The pew in the back will always be hers and I will look there on Sundays and remember her always.
Love,
Candy