Eleanor Gorden, 103, Lauderdale, died Jan. 8, 2022. She was born Nov. 14, 1918, to Nels and Emma Malmanger. She graduated from Truman High School in Minnesota. She attended nursing school at St. Andrew’s Hospital, then in Minneapolis.
Her nursing career became distinguished when, as a surgical nurse at the University of Minnesota, she “scrubbed” for Dr. C. Walton Lillehei at U of M Hospital. He pioneered open heart surgery in the late 20th century. Eleanor was the youngest head of nursing and worked private duty for years.
She married Warren Thompson and had four children.
She was predeceased by her parents; two husbands, Warren Thompson and Eugene Gorden; sister Margaret Mausling and three grandchildren.
Eleanor is survived by her children: Jean Ovaldson, Arizona; Thomas Thompson, Lauderdale; Lois Thompson-Liesen, Blaine; and William Thompson, Lauderdale. Her step-children also survive: Art and Gerald Halverson.
She is also survived by 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
She was an active member of St. Anthony Park Lutheran, where she was a regular at the weekly meeting of the quilters. She loved to take car trips, fish and camp.
A service was held at the church on Jan. 20, with inurnment at Roselawn Cemetery.
