Eunice L. Wood was born December 22, 1911, in Irene, South Dakota, the daughter of William and Erma (Conklin) Wood. She started her schooling in Gayville, South Dakota, until the fourth grade when the family moved to Scotland, South Dakota. In 1925, the family moved to a ranch northeast of Wall, where she continued her education.
Eunice was united in marriage to Frederick W. "Fred" Lewis on September 29, 1928, in Sturgis, South Dakota. They made their home on a farm near Creighton until moving into Wall in 1930. Fred operated the Star Mail route between Wall and Pedro. Later he and Eunice owned and operated a service station and store along with an implement and trucking business in Wall.
In 1947, they moved to the Townview Farm northwest of Wall. In the late seventies, they semi-retired, and in October 1984 they moved into the Westhills Village Retirement Home in Rapid City.
After her husband’s death on July 31, 1986, she continued to reside in Rapid City until moving into the Good Samaritan Center in New Underwood.
Survivors include one sister Doris Clark of Albuquerque, New Mexico; one brother Lloyd Wood of Hide Park, Massachusetts; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband Fred, Eunice was preceded in death by two sisters Mildred Kennedy and Shandon Kleinschmit; one brother Merwyn Wood; one niece Donna Wood; three nephews William Reed, Blake Cool, and Curtis Spence.
Visitation was held 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Friday.
Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 9, at the United Methodist Church in Wall, with Pastor Brad Kattelmann officiating.
Graveside services with Eastern Star services by the O.E.S. Chapter #100 of Philip, was held in the Wall Cemetery.
A memorial is established.
FUNERAL SERVICES
Friday, June 9, 2006 10:00 a.m.
United Methodist Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Brad Kattelmann
MUSIC
Carol Hahn– Pianist
USHERS
Bernard Foster – Jerry Johannesen
PALLBEARERS
Merlin Crown – Al Crown
Jan Bielmaier – Rod Renner
Dustin Fitz - Lance Spence
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota
Guest Book
Our condolences to the family. We knew Eunice late in life, when she lived next to my folks at Westhils Village. What an adventurer! One windy day in January we all drove out to the Badlands with Eunice and she told us about pulling folks out of the gumbo back when she and Fred lived in Wall. Another time, my husband arranged for Eunice, my mom and Doris Clark to ride in a sidecar down Main Street in Sturgis during the rally. Doris looked the part in her leathers, Eunice less so in her flowered blouse, but everyone had a good time. Thank you for the memories.
~ Bill and Mary Sue Waxler and Eva Hamilton
Hot Springs, SD and Rapid City, SD (6/5/2006)
Sorry to hear of your loss. I will remember Eunice as always being busy. When we would go there for a visit, I don't think she ever sat down! What a lady!
~ Kenneth and Joan Renner
Prescott, AZ (6/5/2006)
Wishing We could be there, in this time of Remembrance of a GREAT woman, wife, Aunt, and Friend. She will be missed by all.
God Bless.
The Reed Family
~ Robert & Theresa Reed
295 Elan TR, Dennard, AR 72629 (6/5/2006)
DEAR AUNT EUNICE,
WITH MUCH LOVE AND HAPPINESS, I WILL KEEP IN MY HEART MY TWO TRIPS TO THE FARM WITH YOU AND UNCLE FRED. WE WILL MISS YOUR GREAT STORIES, YOUR CHRISTMAS LETTER...A JIGGER OF GIN AND GOLDEN RAISINS.
ALL OUR LOVE,
GERARD AND DENISE WOOD
~ Gerard and Denise Wood
11 Shaw Rd., Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 (6/5/2006)
What a wonderful wonderful lady. I will miss Eunice and her sweet smile. She always had kind things to say and a great sense of humor.
~ Judy Greenfield
. (6/5/2006)
Mrs Lewis and Fred, were treasured neighbors and friends to my family. Since 1987, everytime I saw Eunice, she would tell stories about my mother and her, crying throughout. I think she knew how hard mother worked and how much mom really loved her and their friendship. I recall as a little girl, going to her home and being amazed that she had pop in her refrigerator. Afterall, I thought you could only get pop from the machines at the implement dealers back then. She would sit me in her bench seats in her kitchen and pull out a big cold bottle of coca-cola while she and my mother drank their coffee and visited. She was an incredible gardener and I can still see her filling the wheel barrel with vegetables to send home for the Bielmaier's. We used to be "down the road" neighbors until the new interstate came in. I remember walking the ditches to pick up pop bottles. We could walk to Eunice's house...no further. (something I can't believe my mother allowed us to do with
traffic AND the risk of finding rattle snakes). Eunice always greeted us as if we were hers wanting to know how our searches had produced. We were on the same "party line" back then. I guess there were instances with the party line where I learned my first lessons of respect and courtesy. Those were the days. Eunice lived a good long life and was a great example for all of us in caring and sharing her kind and generous heart. I'm sure her welcome into heaven will be a good one!!
~ Cathy Thompson
. (6/5/2006)
We have fond memories of our trip to So Dakota and of our special time spent with you and Fred on the farm. Forever in our hearts, Love Paul and Trish Wood and Family
~ Paul & Patricia Wood and Family
591 Blue Hills Parkway, Milton, MA 02186 (6/5/2006)
We'll all miss that sunny disposition you always seemed to have with you. You were a special aunt and a loving sister to our dad. May God be with you. Love, Lloyd and Dottie Wood and Family
~ Lloyd and Dottie Wood and Family
5105 Alexander Dr., Clarence, NY 14031 (6/5/2006)