Dona "Pauline" Eller

Dona “Pauline” Eller passed from this earth on Sunday, June 23, 2024 surrounded by her loved ones. She was born the 2nd child to Dessie (Lowery) and Ray Lemon on Tuesday, October 2, 1928 and lived to see 95, just like her mother. Pauline’s earliest years would be spent during the Depression, but she retained fond memories of growing up on the family farm east of Broken Arrow with her five siblings. The Lemon family moved into Broken Arrow in the early 1940s and she graduated from Broken Arrow High School in 1946. The following fall, she acquired a diploma in Beauty Culture and would provide beautician services in various capacities throughout her early adulthood. She met her future husband, DB “Pete” Eller, at the grocery store he worked at upon returning from his World War II military service. The two were married on June 2, 1947 in Columbus, KS and would go on to raise two children, Paula Sue and Vechil Ray. As grandparents, Pauline and Pete became Nana and Pop, who made sure to have at least one family gathering at the lake (or eventually the Illinois River) every year. They celebrated their 51st anniversary before Pete’s death in 1998. As a widow, Pauline took several trips and cruises with her Golden Girls and accompanied her daughter on a memorable trip to England and Scotland. She maintained an incredible work ethic and stamina well into her early 90s and volunteered for years at “The Food Pantry” at her church - providing clothing and food to those in need and often outworking those decades younger than her. Pauline was an amazing cook and jockeyed with her older sister, Lorene, at every family get-together for the most popular dish. Her list of greatest hits is long and its order changes depending on which relative you ask, but included Angel Food Cake, chocolate/coconut/cherry cream pies, Napa Cabbage Salad, Orange Truffles, and Blarneystones. Upon the request of many, she began conducting an annual workshop for almost two dozen relatives to learn her peanut brittle recipe. Pauline lived her entire life in Broken Arrow, the majority of which was spent residing just a few minutes away from all of her sisters. Her parents introduced the family to the Broken Arrow Assembly of God when Pauline was a teenager and she would remain a devoted member of the church, including its Harbor Lights Sunday School and the Golden Agers programs, for over 80 years. Pauline is survived by her son, Vechil Eller and his wife, Tammy, of Tahlequah, OK, her brother, Onis Lemon and his wife, Susan, of Topeka,KS, her grandchildren, Sara Kirkpatrick and husband, Earl Wilson, of Wichita, KS, AJ Kirkpatrick and wife, Rebecca Cruise, of Oklahoma City, Nathan Eller of Tahlequah, Kyle Eller and wife, Cassie, of Tahlequah, Shawn Eller and wife, Kourtney, of Oklahoma City, 8 great-grandchildren (Kaylee Morgan, Clifton Carmichael, Khaai and Keeni Wilson, Polly and Rory Kirkpatrick, and Vechil and Legend Eller), 2 great-great-grandchildren (Laela Huerta and Jalen Harris), and a multitude of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents Ray and Dessie Lemon, her husband Pete Eller, her daughter Paula Kirkpatrick, her grandchildren Nickolas and Natalie Eller and four of five siblings: Lorene Beckham, Norma Arnold, Leroy Lemon, and Virginia Crutchfield.

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Dona "Pauline" Eller

October 2, 1928 - June 23, 2024