Eunice Sanders

Eunice Sanders, 83, Bismarck, formerly from Alexander, passed away peacefully surrounded by love and light at CHI St. Alexius Healthcare in Bismarck. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, February 17, at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1004 E. Highland Acres Rd., Bismarck, with Rev. Lisa Ahlness officiating. Cremation has taken place. Eunice was born on April 13, 1934, in Bismarck the first daughter of Carl and Olga Nelson. Eunice completed her early years of school in Washburn and graduated from Dakota Lutheran in Minot. It was during her years at Dakota Lutheran that she met her husband-to-be, Lyle Clouse. They were married on June 27, 1953, and Eunice joined Lyle in Anchorage, Alaska, where he had started his Air Force career. Over the next 20 years in the Air Force, Eunice and Lyle would have eight children with each one born on a different Air Force base; respectively Elmendorf AFB in AK, Robins AFB in GA, Andrews AFB in Washington DC, Lackland AFB in TX, Kadena AFB in Okinawa, Hill AFB in UT, and eventually Grand Forks AFB in ND. After retiring as an Air Force wife of 20 years, Eunice assisted Lyle with management and as an equipment operator of Clouse Construction. Eunice had an extensive love of music and shared her talents as the church organist and choir director of Trinity Lutheran Church in Alexander for many years. Eunice and Lyle later divorced, and at the age of 47 Eunice finished her nurses training to become an LPN. (She worked at Mercy Hospital in Williston for 10 years until she married Roger Sanders in 1989, then moved to the Sanders’ family farm in Rawson). Eunice then continued her nursing career at the Good Shepherd Home in Watford City where she remained for 20 years. In 2011 Roger and Eunice moved to Bismarck and in 2013 took up residence in Edgewood Vista where they would make many friendships, while maintaining their active lifestyles. After Roger passed on June 6, 2014, Eunice remained very active at Edgewood Vista. Eunice was an incredibly talented woman, as a lifelong musician she sang, played the piano and organ for many events. She was an excellent cook, amazing seamstress and a voracious reader. She greatly valued education, and was very proud of her children’s accomplishments who all graduated with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. (Those left behind to mourn her loss) include her children Tim Clouse of Fort Collins, CO; Rebecca Clouse (David Hamilton) of Iowa City, IA; Linda Cryderman of Bismarck, ND; Beth (John) Berning of West Branch, IA; Jennifer Longtine of Devils Lake, ND; Phillip (Michelle) Clouse of Devils Lake, ND; and Margo (Mike) Dierdorff of Grundy Center, IA.  Sixteen grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren; her sister Carol (Al) Samuelson of Bismarck, ND; brother James (Mary) Nelson of Princeton, MN; and sister-in-law Beverly Nelson of Eau Claire, WI. Eunice was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Debbie Clouse; her husbands, Lyle Clouse and Roger Sanders; her parents, Carl and Olga Nelson; and her brother, David Nelson.