Eleanor Louise Huffaker Harmon passed from this life into her heavenly home on Saturday, July 6, 2024, after living with Alzheimer's for several years. Eleanor was born on March 30, 1930, in Wendell, Idaho to David and Ella Huffaker, the sixth child and baby of the family. She was born during the first year of The Great Depression which defined her family life for her first 9 years. Her father owned a farm outside of Wendell which ensured their family never went hungry. She lived through WWII, which affected their family personally with two of her three brothers serving in the Pacific theatre. She was part of the greatest generation. In 1949 Eleanor met Earl Harmon, who was working at a soda fountain in Glenn’s Ferry, ID. They fell in love and were married on November 25, 1949. They moved to Hammett, ID and began working with Earl’s parents, Parley and Eva Harmon, who owned a motel, café, grocery store and gas station. The following year on New Years Eve they welcomed their first child, Barbara who was followed in the next nine years by Marjorie, Bonnie, Maxine, Dave, Bob and Connie. At the time of her passing the family had been blessed with twenty-two grandchildren, sixty-one great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. In 1956 Eleanor was operating the grocery store while Earl was running the service station. The station was also the Greyhound bus stop in town. One day a Greyhound worker suggested they start taking groups of people on bus tours. As they sat at the kitchen table in Hammett they envisioned the potential of travel. She and dad decided to take on the challenge and Harmon Travel Service was established. They moved their family to Boise in 1962 and operated Harmon Travel out of their home for several years. She was a woman ahead of her time. Eleanor served for many years on the Idaho Travel Council and was an advocate for many national travel organizations. She traveled extensively for over 55 years and visited all seven continents and cruised in every corner of the world. As a grandmother, she wanted to pass on her love of travel to her grandchildren. This led to the tradition of the “Grandma Trip” which was that every grandchild was invited on a trip to Europe with her when they graduated from high school. It took five Grandma Trips to get everyone there. Her legacy continues today with her son and grandson carrying on the business. Eleanor was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many callings throughout her life, her favorite being a chorister. It was remarkable how she was able to juggle family, work, and church responsibilities. Eleanor had a great love for music and taught her children the songs of her youth. She loved to dance and did so into her 80’s. Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Earl, daughter, Bonnie Knapp, son-in-law, George Knapp, great-granddaughter, Emmeli Harmon, her parents and parents-in-law and four siblings: Morris, Verna, David and Lorraine. She is survived by her brother Don (Marcele) Huffaker and her children: Barbara (Frank) Youngstrom, Marjorie (Joe) Litster, Maxine (Dallan) Clarke, Dave (Karen) Harmon, Bob (Barbara) Harmon and Connie (Jeff) Dalling. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. with a viewing from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11918 W. Ustick Rd. Boise, Idaho. The family would like to thank the wonderful and loving caregivers at Bluebird Hospice and Ashley Manor for their dedication to service to our mother. Funeral arrangement by Zeyer Funeral Chapel in Nampa. https://zeyerfuneralchapel.com The services can be viewed on zoom if you are not able to attend. Link attached.
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