Eunice Sperry

Services for Eunice Sperry, 87, of Groton will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 22nd at United Methodist Church, Groton. Rev. Matt Richards will officiate. Burial will follow in Groton Union Cemetery under the direction of Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel.

Visitation will be held at the church from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

Eunice passed away October 20, 2010 at Golden Living Center, Groton. She had resided there for one year following a stroke.

Myrtle Eunice was born on September 22, 1923 in rural Claremont, to Clarence and Edith (Peterson) Buffington. She attended school in Freeland Country School and graduated from Claremont High School in 1941. Eunice continued her education at Northern Normal (Northern State College) and received her teaching certificate. On October 31, 1942, she united in marriage with Lester Sperry. Lester enlisted in the US Army and during his years of service; Eunice worked in the shipyards as a welder in Portland, Oregon. After the war, the couple retuned to South Dakota and made their home in Groton. Eunice worked outside the home at various locations in Groton. Eunice cherished the many years she babysat for all of her grandchildren and held a special fondness for the years spent with Tanner Johnson. Her husband passed away in 1973. Eunice continued to live in Groton until the time of her death.

Eunice was an active member of the United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women's group. One of the church activities included putting together health, sewing and school kits for missions. In earlier years, she served as a member in the Rebecca Lodge. Eunice enjoyed baking and spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. She also treasured the trips she took with her sisters. Eunice was a very kind, caring person who was always willing to help anyone in need.

Celebrating her life through memories are her children, Sharon (Delbert) Norton of Aberdeen; Connie (Dave) Nilsson of Bath; Roger (Cathy) Sperry of Chandler, Arizona; Brian Sperry of Aberdeen; her daughter-in-law, Vicki (Bob) Walter of Groton; thirteen grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Eunice is also survived by her siblings, Orville (Karen) Buffington of Tigard, Oregon; Virginia Pulfrey of Claremont; Rodney Buffington of Berwick, Louisiana; Richard Buffington of Minnesota and Gene (Dixie) Buffington of Sioux Falls.

Preceding her in death was her husband, Lester; her son, Glenn; an infant daughter, Linda; and her siblings, Lyle Buffington, Harley Buffington and Grace Brown.

Casketbearers will be her grandchildren: Shawn Norton, Chad Norton, Becky Diegel, Kristi Thurston, Ryan Sperry, Travis Sperry, Tasha Dunker, Tyler Sperry, Logan Nilsson, Alexa Nilsson, Samantha Toennies, Justin Toennies and Breanna Michelin.

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