In Cleveland, Ohio, on June 30th, 1935, Eleanor was born to parents Thomas and Eleanor Garbett. In 1953, she graduated from Aldine High School. She married Guenter Max Wandke in 1966, a relationship that lasted 51 years.
Eleanor was a contestant on The Price Is Right in 1973 and won the showcase which included a car. That same year, Eleanor joined her family's business, Casa Elena Mexican restaurants. During her tenure she added two locations to the business. One in Kingwood and one in Oak Ridge North, Texas.
At the age of fifty-five she attended Lone Star College and graduated with a marketing and business degree. Her academic achievement was membership in the Phi Theta Kappa and the Dean's List.
Eleanor was an active member of the American Business Women's Association for 25 years sponsoring more than one hundred women. She chartered two ABWA chapters in the Houston area and Oak Ridge North area. She was also selected "Woman of the Year" in 1985. In 1988, Eleanor established Wandke Warehouses and Executive Suites in Montgomery County.
She was an active member for 23 years at St. Anthony Orthodox Church and 17 years at St. Jonah Orthodox Church in Spring, Texas. She also served on the Parish Council at both congregations.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the St. Jonah Orthodox Church building fund. Mailing address is P.O. Box 1427, Spring, Texas 77383.