Eleanor Willits

Eleanor May (Hegland) Willits, 92, of Great Falls died Sept. 22, 2015. At her request, no services will be held. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling arrangements. She was born Aug. 12, 1923, in Great Falls to Gilbert Kittil Heggeli Hegland and Mathilde Pedersen Hegland. Her siblings included Margaret “Mac” Wargo; Edwin Gilbert Hegland; Esther Christine Jones; Ann Elizabeth Stringham; and Arthur Gilbert Hegland. She is survived by her sister Evelyn Ruth “Susie” Threet of Arizona. Eleanor graduated from Great Falls High School in 1941. She married Russell Willits of Simms on Jan. 19, 1944. During Russell’s service in the U.S. Naval Air Force, the couple lived in California, Florida and Texas before returning to Great Falls. Eleanor’s survivors include son Gary and his wife, Sharon; son Dennis; and son Dale, all of Great Falls. She also had two grandchildren, Debbie Willits, Bozeman, and Michelle Willits, Oregon, Wis.; and a great-grandson, Rhett Cunningham, Oregon, Wis. She is preceded in death by her husband. Remembrances can be made to Meals on Wheels, 1620 12th Ave N., Great Falls, MT, 59401.