Eleanore Jirik, age 86, of Northfield, died on Monday, August 31, 2026, at Three Links Care Center.
Eleanore Marie (Malecha) Jirik was born on March 31, 1940, to Joseph and Mary (Trenda) Malecha on the family farm in Forest Township near Millersburg in Rice County. She graduated from New Prague High School in 1958 and married John Jirik on October 18, 1958 at the Church of Immaculate Conception in Lonsdale. She and John farmed his family's land and Eleanore had a housecleaning business until they moved into Northfield in 1988. Eleanore loved to stay busy; she especially enjoyed painting and playing piano, old-time waltzes, singing in the choir, traveling, reading, crocheting, and embroidering, gardening, cooking and baking, and spending time with her children and grandchildren, and friends.
She is survived by four children, Cindy (Gerard) Bastyr of Webster, Connie (Kevin) Pumper of Lonsdale, Carol (Kevin) Mueller of Prior Lake, Tony Jirik of Chaska; eight grandchildren, Megan (Mitch) Novak, Tyler (Briana) Bastyr, Sara (Phil) Marklevits, Stephanie (Russ) Kes, Stacie Pumper, Daniel (Makayla) Mueller, Gabrielle Jirik and Katrina Jirik; 18 great-grandchildren; her sisters-in-law, Georgine Malecha of Northfield, and Sister Rita Jirik of Shakopee; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband John; her sister Mary Ann; her brother Joseph; and her parents.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Church of St. Dominic in Northfield. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m., prior to mass at the church of St. Dominic. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Lonsdale. A reception and lunch will follow burial at the Lonsdale American Legion. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren Megan Novak, Tyler Bastyr, Sara Marklevits, Stephanie Kes, Stacie Pumper, Daniel Mueller, Gabrielle Jirik and Katrina Jirik.
Arrangements are with Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory. www.northfieldfuneral.com
Eleanore Jirik, 86
