Eleanor “Ele” Sadie Palmberg, age 90, passed away peacefully, with family by her side, on January 16, 2026.

Ele was born on August 7, 1935 in Shell Lake, WI to Phillip and Elsie (Lundell) Miller. At a young age, her family moved to Amery. Ele grew up in Amery and graduated from Amery High School. One day after graduation, Ele was talked into going roller skating in Deronda with her brother, and it was there that she met Duane Palmberg.

Ele and Duane were united in marriage on May 24, 1958. After Duane’s father became ill, they moved and took over the family farm in Joel, WI, where they raised their four children. Throughout the years, Ele had a variety of jobs working at Snyder and Chet Johnson Drug stores, driving bus for the Clayton School District, and working as a bank teller at the Clear Lake Bank. Although it was never an official job title, Ele was also a caregiver and was always taking care of everyone in her life. She was very hard working and the “good kind” of stubborn. Ele was loved by everyone she met.

Ele enjoyed gardening and had a huge vegetable garden on the farm, which meant lots of canning too. She was a great cook and always made more than enough food to make sure no one ever went hungry. Ele was also a great baker and made the best sugar cookies.

Most important to Ele was her family. She always hosted family reunions and loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren dearly. Many weekends were spent at the family cabin in Webster fishing, boating and just spending time with family. Her faith was also important to her and Ele was a member at First Lutheran Church in Amery.

Ele was preceded in death by her parents, Phillip and Elsie Miller; husband, Duane Palmberg; daughter, Diane Aho; and her sister and 3 brothers. She is survived by her children, Dennis (Tammy), Debbie Jozwiak, and Darren (Debi); son-in-law, Roger Aho; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; and many other loving friends and family.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at First Lutheran Church in Amery, WI with a visitation one hour prior. Burial will take place at Elim Cemetery in Range, WI at a later date.

Last Update: Jan 20, 2026 10:11 am CST