Eunice Anderson

Eunice Elaine Anderson, 82, of Mandan, ND and Mesa, AZ, died Monday evening, May 27, 2024, at Sanford Hospital, Bismarck, surrounded by her loving family. 

A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, June 28, 2024, at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, with Pastor Tedd Ostrem officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. 

Eunice was born in Crookston, MN, on May 19, 1942, the daughter of Orris and Sophronia (Morgan) Grove. She grew up on the family's farm near Climax, MN, and was baptized and confirmed at the nearby Sand Hill Lutheran Church. In 1960, Eunice graduated from Climax High School and then attended Mayville Teachers College, where she obtained her 4-year degree in just 3 years by attending summer school. It was at Mayville College where she met Darryl Anderson.  They had seen each other before, but during an evening Earth Science class where they met to look at the stars and constellations, the two enjoyed talking and Eunice surprisingly asked Darryl to attend the upcoming Sadie Hawkins dance with her. Darryl had been lost all evening staring into her beautiful brown eyes but found the words to say yes. This was only the beginning, and they began dating in the spring of 1961. On August 3, 1963, they were united in marriage at Sand Hill Church. They moved to Hebron in August 1963, where Darryl taught and coached while Eunice student taught in Mayville until November. They later lived in Bowman from 1972-75. In 1975 they moved to Mandan. They shared a lifetime of adventures—mostly by automobile and fueled by a shared passion of sports—through small towns and large cities in North Dakota and beyond. Along the way, Eunice and Darryl welcomed three children, Doug, Brad, and Shari.

Eunice was a devoted wife and mother who loved to create. This often took the form of sewing and knitting which resulted in personal creations that were cherished by the recipients. Eunice had a talented green thumb and enjoyed multiple vegetable and flower gardens at their home in Mandan and what became their full-time home north of Mandan near the Missouri River. She found great peace in working in these gardens and they provided another source for her creativity as she incorporated ingredients in the canning of vegetables for her growing family and friends and in beautiful seasonal flower displays to brighten her life and home. In the quiet moments, Eunice was an avid and voracious reader who happily displayed and lent from her personal library. She was also a devoted member of First Lutheran Church in Mandan. 

Though Eunice was a high school teacher of physical education and business initially after college, the move to Mandan gave her the opportunity to become a bookkeeper with JC Penney. This suited Eunice well and she flourished in this role, ultimately becoming the head bookkeeper to store management in Mandan. When the store in Mandan closed, Eunice transferred to the store in Kirkwood Mall in Bismarck and became part of a close-knit team that was more like a sisterhood.  Through the years, this team enjoyed sharing their lives as working mothers and celebrated many milestones together and enjoyed occasional visits to tribal casinos for concerts and relaxation.  Eunice retired from her career with JC Penney in 2004, at age 62.  

Before and during retirement, Eunice enjoyed travel, having traveled to assist her children in major life events, to share holidays, or to join Darryl at various national conventions throughout the country. Ultimately, this love of travel fueled the decision to become “snowbirds” in 2006, and they made a home in Mesa, AZ. The 12 months of spring and summer weather allowed Eunice an active social life with many friends, including being reunited with her best friend and maid of honor.

Eunice touched the hearts of so many people and is now resting with Jesus. She will be deeply missed in this world. May God bless Eunice’s memory.  

Left to continue their journey through life is her husband of 60 years, Darryl Anderson of Mandan; their children, Doug and Diane Anderson of Hugo, MN, Brad and Jodi Anderson of Noblesville, IN, and Shari and Mike Wetzel of Bismarck; 12 grandchildren, Michael Anderson; Lauren (Colin) Alexander, Alec, Brady, Sydney, Matthew, Nathan, Sawyer, and Cooper Anderson; Kyra (Boe) DelaBarre, and Lucas and Logan Wetzel; two sisters and one brother, Gail Hasbrouck and Debbie and Richard “Red” Normandin of Crookston, MN and Harlow and Peggy Grove of Climax, MN; brothers and sisters-in-law, Aldon and Dorothy Anderson of Devils Lake and Colleen and Barry Argabright of Fargo; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.  

Eunice was preceded in death by her parents, Orris and Sophronia Grove; her sister, Joan Clemenson; brother, James Grove; and sister-in-law, Karen Anderson. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Mandan Care and Share in memory of Eunice.