Bozeman, MT – Eleanor “Ellie” Blossom (McLeod) Rager, formerly of Grantham and New London, NH, passed away peacefully on Friday June 1, 2012, following a long illness, in Bozeman, Montana, where she moved in 2003 to be close to her daughter.

Ellie was born in Detroit, MI on November 16, 1925, the daughter of Edward and Myrtle (Reed) McLeod. Although she was raised in Detroit, she spent much of her time in Vermont and always considered her mother’s family home in Wheelock, VT her “home”. She also lived in New Hampshire and Florida.

She worked at many different occupations over the years and also owned several start-up businesses, the last one being Rager Real Estate at Eastman in Grantham, NH, which was dissolved when she retired in 1998 at the age of 73.

Ellie was a kind and loving woman who brought joy and happiness to her family and friends. She will always be remembered for her beautiful smile and kind heart. A special thanks to three faithful friends, Janis Hastings, Evy Carlson and Bea Fechtig, who always remembered her with kind notes and cards, and to the Gallatin Rest Home in Bozeman for their care and devotion to Ellie in her final days.

She was predeceased by her husband, Richard S. Rager, who died in 1999, and her only sibling, her brother, E. Neil McLeod, who died in 1979. Members of her surviving family include her two daughters and their husbands, Diane and Michael Alexander, of Bozeman, MT, and Susan and Ronald Garceau of Sunapee; three sons and their wives: Martin and Diane Laughlin of New London, Thomas and Donna Laughlin of Candia, and Edward Laughlin of Penacook; eight grandchildren, Joseph, Todd and Jeffrey St.Cyr, Gregory and Peter Garceau, and Michael, Melissa and Daniel Laughlin; also four great granddaughters, Jacki, Maci, Franci and Arianna (Ari).

Friends and family are welcome to attend a celebration of Ellie’s life to be held on Saturday, June 23rd, from noon until 3 pm at the home of Susan and Ronald Garceau, at 73 Winn Hill Road, Sunapee, NH, after a private family interment at the Grantham Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Claremont Soup Kitchen, PO Box 957 Claremont, NH 03743, or to a charity of one’s choice.

Chadwick Funeral Service of New London is assisting the family with arrangements.