Eunice J. Venstad, 71, Dickinson, died surrounded by family at her home on Friday, February 24, 2023. Eunice’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Dickinson with Msgr. Thomas Richter as celebrant. Interment will take place at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Mandan. Visitation will be on Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson with a Divine Mercy Chaplet at 6:30 followed by a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m. with Deacon Ron Keller presiding.
Eunice Black was born on June 17, 1951, in Rugby to Sebastian and Kathrine (Kurtz) Black. Eunice graduated from Towner High School and married the love of her life Harold, in Rugby on September 26, 1970. Harold and Eunice lived in Conrad, MT, Vernal, UT, and WY before they settled in Belfield. Eunice worked as a nurse at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Great Plains Clinic and the Dickinson Clinic. During her time as a nurse, Eunice became well known in the community with her infectious smile and laughter.
Eunice was always willing to help a neighbor out and even talked a few into going to the doctor. She loved everyone around her, no matter who they were or where they came from. She loved to garden, can, and sew. Eunice was part of the Christian Mothers group, women’s group, and she served at the food pantry. She lived and died by her faith. The joy she carried with her in life came from Jesus, and she spread that joy to everyone around her. During Thanksgiving of 2022, Eunice went snowmobiling and two days later she went kayaking.
The most important part of Eunice’s life was her faith, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She sewed each of her children a beautiful quilt, and each of her grandchildren received a quilt as a graduation gift. She made it to as many football and basketball games, concerts, Christmas programs, and graduations as she could, and she was always the brightest person in the room. She loved to tell people that she was a “unique” lady!
Eunice is survived by her children, Jeanne (Gene) Praus, Melinda (Cory) Tuhy, Joni Linker, Shawn (Tonya Krebs) Venstad, as well as her 14 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; her siblings, Ilene Mattern, Joan (Virgil) Voeller, Linda Polanchek and Mike (Debbie) Black; and sisters-in-law, Marlys Larson, Mary Jane Schuchard; and brother-in-law, Melvin (Linda) Venstad; along with many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Venstad, on September 15, 2000; granddaughter, Breauna Tuhy; great-granddaughter, Madison Praus; her parents; in-laws, Tony and Violet Venstad; brothers-in-law, Claytus Mattern, Gordon Polanchek and Brian Larson; and sister-in-law, Shirley (Harry) Kramer.
“It’s ok, God will take care of me.”
