Eleanor Marousek, 90, of Belle Fourche, South Dakota left Belle Estate on June 3, 2025 to meet her reward. Eleanor Irene Marousek was born January 13, 1935 to Merle and Margaret Compton in Sturgis, SD. Eleanor enjoyed her younger years spent on the family farm near Red Owl, SD. Although the years were filled with hard work and hard times, Eleanor and her three oldest sisters found joy and peace on the prairie, hunting for special rocks, riding their horse to school, and doing chores. The family moved to Spearfish, SD during Eleanor’s teen years, and she graduated from Spearfish High School. Eleanor was married to Bob Collins until 1978. She later married Melvin Marousek, MD and they spent the rest of their lives together until Melvin’s passing in 2018. Eleanor suffered a massive stroke in March of 2020 and spent the remainder of her life in the outstanding care of her friends at Belle Estate in Belle Fourche.
Eleanor was a very hard worker, continuing her farm work ethic throughout her life. She worked after school selling popcorn at a booth in downtown Spearfish, where she was trusted to handle sales, close the booth at night and take the day’s proceeds to the owner’s house. After graduating, she began working as a telephone operator in Belle Fourche and Deadwood, SD. She also worked as an operator in Ft. Worth, TX during Bob’s time in the Army. Upon her return to Belle Fourche, she began working as a receptionist/bookkeeper for Drs. Sherrill, Gilbert and Marousek in 1957 and continued working at the new location, Tri-State Clinic until her retirement in the 1990’s. She and Melvin were foster parents for many years, caring for dozens and dozens of children needing love, structure and attention. They had strong convictions of not separating large families, instead opting to take in entire families of children at a time.
After retirement, she and Melvin enjoyed trips to Peru, Belize and the Czech Republic, where they rode the train to the end of the tracks and began a hiking adventure that gained them lifelong friendships with the Czech people.
Eleanor enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids, gardening, hiking, rock hunting and volunteering her time. She was instrumental in honoring and feeding the runners during the annual Ft. Robinson Outbreak Spiritual Run for many years. She was also very involved in the moving, setup and operation of the historical Hillside School as well as volunteering at the Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce. Eleanor received the Faye Kennedy award for volunteer community service in 2013.
Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband Melving Marousek, parents Merle and Margaret Compton, sisters Audrey, Ruth and Peggy. She is survived by her children Gary (Margaret) Collins of Mt. Carmel, IL; Wanda Collins, Belle Fourche, SD; Wendy Scales, Angels Camp, CA; and Todd (Sheilagh) Collins, Belle Fourche, SD. She is also survived by grandchildren Aaron and Daniel Herbold of CO, Rochelle Lugo, TX; Lyle Collins, NV; Emily Fox, WA; Shawn Collins, SD; and Jessica Scales, Mexico; numerous great-grandchildren and sisters Edith and Dorothy.
A memorial service will be held, Friday, June 6, 2025, at Black Hills Gospel Assembly, 19020 Gospel Lane in Belle Fourche.
You may sign her online guestbook at www.blackhillsfuneralhome.com.
