Rudes Funeral Home
Eunice Helene (Backman) Berwald, 80, of Toronto, South Dakota, was called home by her Good Shepherd on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at the Estelline Nursing and Care Center where she was cared for and supported by family who loved her deeply.
Born on November 16, 1939 in Peever, South Dakota, Eunice was the youngest of nine children for Julius and Mary Backman. Her father immigrated from Denmark to South Dakota at age seventeen. Though he never returned to his homeland, Julius instilled in his daughter a love for Denmark (and black licorice!) as she grew up. Her Danish heritage was enriched in 1980 with the re-uniting of a distant cousin, Mie Jorgensen of Galten, Denmark. Eunice attended country school through the eighth grade and helped with the family farm, finding special joy in caring for her own flock of sheep.
On December 1, 1957 Eunice was united in marriage to Arlen "Sonny" Berwald, a dairyman from Summit, and together they were blessed with five children. In 1970 the family moved to the current farm site located six miles east of Estelline. As the milking herd grew, Eunice stayed busy in the kitchen preparing meals for a growing family as well as the constant flow of farmhands and visitors. All were welcomed at the table to enjoy her famous homemade breads and sweet rolls. She also maintained a large vegetable garden and worked hard canning and preserving its produce.
Eunice loved fishing, embroidery, playing cards, taking pictures, and collecting recipes. She stayed active in the lives of her children and grandchildren through 4H, the State Fair, music, art, and school events. Doting on her grandchildren also allowed her to pursue an intense passion for shopping and gift-giving. Eunice and Arlen traveled the country in support of the American Dairy Association and to visit family. Favorite destinations included Alaska, Florida, Idaho, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, and Denmark.
Her love for Jesus Christ was central to Eunice's life and faith. Upon her confirmation at the Peever Lutheran Church, she enjoyed helping with Bible School and Sunday School. She later attended Bethel Baptist Church in Brookings, where she volunteered with Awana and MOPS programs. She was baptized on August 21, 2010 in Lake Madison with her husband and a granddaughter.
Eunice was preceded in death by her parents, Julius and Mary Backman, husband Arlen, siblings Pearl Ammann, Norma Madsen, Marlys Ballhagen, Jens Backman, Marlene Eneboe, and a precious grandson, Channing Berwald. She is survived by one sister, Viola Taylor, two brothers, Leon Backman (Gladys) and Donnie Backman (June); her five children, Calvin (Sara) Berwald of Ogema, Wisconsin, Mike (Kim) Berwald of Toronto, Lisa (Bill) Abeler of Upsala, Minnesota, Rita (Eli) Hofer of Bruce, and Sheila (John) Gross of Madison; fifteen grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren.
A private memorial service celebrating the life of Eunice Berwald will be held for the family on Saturday, October 31 at 2:00 PM at the Rude's Funeral Home in Brookings. The service will be livestreamed and archived on Rude's Facebook page at facebook.com/rudes.funeralhome. Memorials may be directed to the Estelline Nursing and Care Center - 205 Fjerestad Ave E, Estelline, SD 57234
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com
LINKS
Watertown Public Opinion
http://www.thepublicopinion.com
Memories
Gallery
Guestbook