Lora Lee Eaker

Lora Lee Eaker, 97, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015, at Life Care Center of Cape Girardeau. Only a few months before her death, she had lived independently in her cottage at Capetown. To the very end she was dearly loved by her family and friends.

Born on May 24, 1918, in Whitewater to Albert and Nellie Myrtle Proffer Borneman, she had two half-brothers, Glen Proffer and the late Ivan Nelson Grebe. She was the beloved niece of Flossie Johnson and Homer Proffer.

Weeks after her 17th birthday, she and George Washington Eaker Sr. were married July 23, 1935, at Bloomfield, Missouri. After 71 years of marriage, he passed away at the age of 91. They were truly partners in life.

She was the loving mother of the late Don Walter Eaker and wife, Judi; George Washington Eaker Jr. and wife, Verna, and Carol Anne Kranawetter.

Her joy and pride in life extended to her grandchildren: Lisa, Todd and Lance Eaker, and Anne and Paul Kranawetter. She was great-grandmother to Alexis Perkuhn, Austin and Madison Hengst, Taylor and Paige Seabaugh, Matthew and Benjamin Dillon, and Matthew Christopher Perkuhn.

Lora Lee developed a passion for swimming after overcoming her fear of water in 1957. She was an enthusiastic founding member of the Cape Early Bird Swimmers. On her 50th wedding anniversary, she received a Red Cross certificate for swimming laps at the Cape Girardeau pool that equaled a total distance of 1,000 miles.

A true child of God, she was a lifelong member of Red Star Baptist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and her son, Don Eaker.

Friends may call from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral service will be at noon Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Jim Matthews officiating. Burial will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Red Star Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.