Dr. Eleanor Dorothea Lerner Wenger died peacefully November 24, 2025 at the age of 104 years at the Red Deer Hospice. Eleanor died as she had lived: with integrity, intelligence and on her own terms. During her final year she faced numerous challenges associated with an aging body and gradually declining health, but through her characteristic strength and sheer determination her mind remained sharp until the end.

Eleanor was born July 18, 1921 in Brooklyn, New York, USA, the older of Sarah (Goodman) and Herman Lerner’s two daughters. She was raised in a tight-knit Jewish community of first- and second-generation immigrants from Eastern Europe. She was an exemplary student from her earliest school days, winning numerous academic awards.

She graduated from high school shortly before her sixteenth birthday and continued her studies at Brooklyn College (BSc) and Oberlin College (MSc). In 1942 she started her PhD in developmental neurobiology under Dr. Viktor Hamburger at Washington University in St.Louis, MO. During this time, Eleanor was privileged to have Dr. Rita Levi-Montalcini as her friend and mentor. In 1946 she met her future husband and lifelong research partner Byron Wenger when he returned from service in Europe to complete his studies. They married in 1947 and Eleanor was awarded her degree in 1948. Byron completed his in 1949. After a few more years in St. Louis they moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1951 to commence careers in the Department of Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology at Kansas University.

Life in Kansas soon included the purchase and rehabilitation of an old farm south of Lawrence, where they raised four children (and numerous pets and gardens) until 1969 when they immigrated to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and positions at the University of Saskatchewan.

During her working years Eleanor taught in various positions at KU, in the medical school, school of veterinary medicine, and biology department at U of S and in several local community Colleges. She had a deep and enduring influence on her students and maintained life-long contact with many of them, including teaching her youngest daughter in veterinary school. She was deeply supportive of all students, but particularly of young women looking to advance their careers in science.

She was an active member of many professional organizations and of organizations dedicated to advancing the status of women, including the University Women’s Cub, the League of Women Voters and many others. Retirement brought new projects and opportunities for both Eleanor and Byron, starting with several years spent teaching at the medical schools of Ross University in Dominica and St. George’s University in Grenada. They returned to the farm in Kansas in 1995 where both volunteered at Audio Reader, the Spencer Museum of Art and the Natural History Museum at KU. They welcomed numerous visits from friends and family and enjoyed the various educational and cultural opportunities and rich social life available in a vibrant University town. Eleanor stayed active in mind and body in her final years by engaging in a diverse range of physical, intellectual and social activities.

Following Byron’s passing in 2008 Eleanor made a point of traveling as much as possible to maintain ties with family and friends. She also volunteered her research skills with a brain aging project. In 2022 she returned to Canada, living in Ontario before settling in Alberta for her final years. Eleanor was predeceased by her husband Byron and sister Gladys Horowitz. She is survived by sister-in-law Martha Bartlett, children Sharon Wenger, Rhona Wenger (Tom Spicer), Jarrell Wenger (Mary Stoer-Wenger) and Ileana Wenger (Dan Sinclair), grandchildren Eric Burton (Martha Mills), Nicole Burton, Jessica Bouhuyzen-Wenger (Thomas Eware), Maaike Bouhuyzen-Wenger (Martin Patterson), Garret Bouhuyzen-Wenger (Jenny Saxton), Erin Wenger (Sean Greenhage), Robyn Ryrie (Ashton) and Ian Sinclair (Jules Foerster), ten great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and great grand nieces and nephews.

Anyone interested in a more detailed account of Eleanor’s exceptional career and life is encouraged to search on Google for more information.

Memorial Donations in Eleanor’s honour may be made to the Red Deer Hospice at 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4R 3S6 or directly to www.reddeerhospice.com or charity of your choice. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed at www.heartlandfuneralservices.com. Arrangements in care of: Heartland Funeral Services Ltd., 4415 – 49 Street, Innisfail, Alberta. Phone: 403.227.0006

• Date : 2025-12-09
• Location : (Innisfail) LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com