Eunice Marie Peterson was born at a neighbor’s farm on September 28, 1932, the last child of Knute and Myrtle Peterson. She joined four older siblings who all called her, “Sis.” Neighbor Helen Larson, later named Eunice’s Godmother, saved her life as the umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck. “Sister” was raised on the family farm south of Bowman, North Dakota and attended the Amor Country School found “right over the hill.” Consequently, winter blizzards would fill the Peterson home with school children until they could safely go home.
During the war years, Eunice and her brother, Sonny, helped their mother care for the sheep and crops to keep the farm afloat. Eunice boarded out to attend her first three years of high school in Bowman. Moving to Miles City her senior year due to her father’s railroad transfer, she graduated from Custer County High School in 1950 when she was seventeen, having skipped a year of grade school. Bev (Gall) Derenberger was a welcome friend to an apprehensive newcomer. Following graduation, Eunice worked as a telephone operator for the Telephone Company where she met another lifelong friend, Phyllis (Phalen) Griffin.
Music and dancing played a significant role in her life since childhood, and she met a cowboy from the North side of the Yellowstone at a weekend country dance. James Taylor and Eunice became lifetime dancing partners on July 22, 1951, uniting in marriage in Miles City at the First Lutheran Church. A small trailer on the Taylor Ranch near Rock Springs was their first home. During this time their first daughter, Debra Rae, was born on May 6, 1952. Prior to the birth of Pamela Marie on April 2, 1954, they had moved to a home in Miles City, and Jim commuted to the ranch. The family was complete with the birth of Cindy Lee on July 23, 1958.
In the spring of 1962, the Taylor family moved to Kinsey where they wintered and lambed out the sheep. Eunice worked “inside and outside”, providing a comfortable home for her family and helping to care for the sheep and raising many bum lambs. She was an excellent seamstress and fashioned her daughter’s clothing from birth onward including many prom dresses.
Family was always her priority, and she took pleasure in supporting her girls in school and extra curricular activities. Eunice played the piano by ear, pounding out “In the Mood” and countless other songs for family dances in the living room. Weekend country dances were a favorite family past time, and Jim and Eunice could definitely, “cut the rug”. Hot dog roasts and fishing at the river, movies at the Sunset Drive-In, and winter sledding and ice skating were other favorites. Eunice was a 4-H leader and taught Sunday School at the Kinsey Faith Lutheran Church where she organized many Christmas programs and often shared her singing talent for services.
Spearfish, South Dakota was their next home from January 1978 until the summer of 1986 when Jim’s health started to fail, and they moved back to Miles City. Eunice provided faithful and loving care for her husband during his battle with cancer until his death in July of 1988 when she was fifty-five years old.
The following thirty-six years, she remained in Miles City, filling her days with people and activities she loved. Any grandchild’s sporting event or program, you would find her in the audience. During Christmas, her favorite holiday, the homes of her daughters and grandchildren are filled with crocheted angels, snowflakes, and ornaments which she created through the years. Baking goodies was another favorite pastime which were shared with family, neighbors, and friends in homes and the hospital.
A lifelong member of First Lutheran Church, she enjoyed sewing missionary, baby, and confirmation quilts as a member of the ladies aide. Eunice spent her last years at the Friendship Villa, Hearts & Homes Assisted Living, Powder River Manor, and Holy Rosary Hospice. Her family is grateful for the special care that she received from the staff at each of these facilities. She maintained her sense of humor to the end and made the most of things when life threw challenging circumstances her way. She will always be remembered for her commitment to her faith, family, and friends, life gifts she held most dear.
Eunice was preceded in death by her parents, Knute and Myrtle Peterson; husband James Raymond; siblings Lyla, Kenneth, Emily, and Orville (Sonny) and their spouses. She was the last surviving member of her husband’s siblings and spouses as well.
Eunice is survived by her three married daughters and five grandchildren: Debra (Denny) Dunning and children DarAnne (Corbin Schwanke) Dunning and Dawson (Kathryn) Dunning; Pamela (Wally) Badgett and children Whitney (Fakhrul) Hasan and Brett (Joni) Badgett; Cindy (John) Kooper and daughter Alexandra Kooper. She was blessed with six great grandchildren: Marin, Treva, Ansel, Nizz, Nova, and Kaile. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews that she was very fond of.
Eunice always had an affinity for children and donated to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children. Donations can be made in her name to that organization or a charity of your choice.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024, at The Parlor, 1806 Main Street, family will not be present for the visitation. A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at Calvary Cemetery.
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday September 6, 2024
The Parlor
1806 Main Street
FAMILY WILL NOT BE PRESENT,
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Friday September 6, 2024
The Parlor
1806 Main Street
FAMILY WILL NOT BE PRESENT,
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Beverly Harris says
Such a sweet lady, I will miss her visits and have known Eunice since I was a kid.
Clara jo says
What a beautiful lady Eunice was 🤗 .. she always had a smile and a song in her heart and them daily hugs !! I loved when she played music , sang and told story from younger days ! May all your memories fill those tough days 🤗🤗
Mark Peterson says
Debby, Pam and Cindy, and all the family,
My condelences on your loss. Your mom was a wonderful lady and I have many great memories of her. When my dad was in the hospital at the end, she made it a point to visit with us and tell us many stories about them growing up, bringing a lot of sunshine to his last days.
Deb Terrett says
Debbie, Pam and Cindy
We send you deep sympathy and prayer…your Mom was a really special lady with so many talents! You special ladies carry those on amazingly! May you and your families be blessed with God’s peace!🙏❤️
Jay and Deb
Kyle & Gail Shaw says
Dear Family, So sorry to read about your Mom. She was always such a classy lady. She always had time to speak to us. Parents are hard to loose. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Diane and Doug Ellingson says
Debbie,Pam,Cindy, and all Family , Please accept our condolences on your loss of Aunt Eunice. Our thoughts and prayers are with you .
Lucy Corbett says
I will treasure my memories of Eunice. I enjoyed our many conversations and all the stories she had to share.
Jan Munroe says
Such a lovely and gracious lady. I enjoyed her so much when she volunteered at the Lincoln School Library. You must have many lovely memories to treasure of your family home. My sympathies, Jan
CATHY & JIM BASTIAN says
Oh I am so sorry! Eunice was one of my favorite people! She would always make sure to hunt me down to say hi and give a hug! I will miss her!! You are all in my prayers.
Kimber Gebhardt says
My dad (Doug Nelson) and Eunice used to love giving each other a hard time while they were both at Friendship Villa. It was so much fun to watch them having fun. She was a wonderful lady! Prayers for you all.
Becky Stanton says
Pam Debra and Cindy. I am saddened to hear your Mom passed away. I have wonderful memories of stopping by to visit your family when we went to Grandpa and Grandma Zabel’s. It was so fun playing with you all. Your Mom was classy and kind. Thoughts and prayers
Diane Welbes says
Eunice always had that wide s,ole no matter when you saw her. Thoughts and prayers to the families. Always remember the good times.
Lynn and Judy Strobel says
We are sorry to hear of Eunice’s passing away. She was such a special lady, always so pleasant and upbeat. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kim Stanton says
Dear Pam and families,
I am saddened to hear that your beloved mom and grandma has passed away. Thank you for sharing details about her life in the well-written obituary. May the love and prayers of all who care for you comfort you today and in the coming days. Prayers being sent for your peace and consolation —and may the Lord’s tender mercy and abiding love be with you all.
With heartfelt condolences,
Kim Stanton and family
Emmett Labree says
I played music at the friend ship villa and ,we danced. I”ll tell you folks I had to pick it up to keep up.A great lady.
Hazel Stabler says
Pam and family. I am so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. I played music at the Friendship Villa and one day a “Classy Lady “ was out on the floor dancing up a jig all by herself. It was Eunice and she was really good, having a great time. I went to school with Jim at Cohagen and he was a very nice man. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Wayne and Shelley Perkins says
May God comfort you at this time as only He can
Curt and Kate Terrett says
so sorry for your loss.
Darcy Boggs says
Eunice was such a sweetie and I feel so blessed to have known her. She was so fun, sweet and a true character. My condolences to the her family.
Margaret Hernandez says
Pam, Cindy, Debbie and family
So sad to hear about your Mom, I still miss see her up at the apartment ( she was one of my favorite people) even if it was a while since she moved to town. Please know you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Meg
Jan and David Pratt says
Pam and all, I really enjoyed getting to know your mom. Those were happy, fun visits! What a wonderful person she was.
Dolores Meidinger Willson says
Debbie, Pam, Cindy and all the Taylor family-
Your Mom was the most gracious and beautiful woman, inside and out. She had many talents and shared them all her life. I was happy to have her as my neighbor down the hall, even for a short time. May your wonderful memories brighten your lives in your loss. My sincerest sympathy.
Shannon Holmen says
Pam, so sorry to hear about your sweet mom. She was such a classy lady. Here’s to great memories.
Jennifer Peabody says
Thinking of your family at this time. My fondest memories are her decorations at Christmas and treating my grandson
with her wonderful cookies. She was so full of life and I will not forget the stories she fondly shared about her life. She was so full of spunk and life.
Laura Lee and Vic Ullrich says
Sending our deepest sympathy to you all as you celebrate a beautiful woman and a well lived life. All of her wonderful traits have been passed on to her survivors. What a blessing she was to all who knew her. We will keep you all in our prayers as you share the memories and say goodbye.
Maureen Larson says
Debbie, Pam, Cindy and families,
So very sorry for your loss. Eunice was such a wonderful, caring, classy lady and she raised three wonderful, classy daughters. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
Kolleen (Waldo) Forsyth says
My sympathies in your loss, Pam, Debbie, & Cindy. No one replaces our Moms. The memories you have of her will stay with you and I hope they ease your grief in the coming days.