Eunice Juntunen

Eunice Elaine Grandt was born at the Grandt farm north of Pine City on March 15, 1921.  She walked to country school, graduated from Pine City High School, and attended the University of MN for 2 years. She married Robert Ovick, Sr on July 2nd, 1941 and moved with him to Alamogordo, New Mexico when he enlisted in the US Air Force where Robert Jr was born in 1943.  When Bob Sr. had to go overseas, she and Bob Jr moved home and lived with her parents.  After the war, Sheila was born in 1946 and Randy in 1960. Eunice began her working career at the Northwestern Bell Telephone office and later was the bookkeeper/ office manager at Pine City Schools.  She could account for every dollar that went through that office and invested funds wisely. Life became tough when Bob, Sr died suddenly of a heart attack on September 27, 1964.  Bob, Jr and Sheila were both in college and Randy was only 4 years old.  She was married to James Poferl, a tax accountant, in 1968 and again lost her partner after only 5 years.  She met and married Reuben Juntunen in 1979 at which time they both retired so they could do some traveling.  She was a charter member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary and volunteered in many different capacities at the First Presbyterian Church. Eunice loved animals and was very attached to all the dogs and cats the family ever had. Following Reuben’s sudden death in May, 2011, she lived at Lakeside Nursing home, and then Country Home Comforts, Brook Park, from July 1 until last week.  Everyone loved caring for Eunice and she appreciated all the attention and help they gave her.  Her weakened body gave out at First Light Health Care on February 27th at the age of 90 years, 11 ½ months. Eunice is survived by her children: Bob (Nancy) Ovick of Rush City, Randy (Renee) Ovick of Centennial, Colorado, and Sheila Roberts of Apple Valley; 3 grand children; 2 great grand children; and sister Harriet Dodder of Los Alamos, New Mexico. Eunice was preceded in death by parents Hans and Selma Grandt; Husbands: Robert Ovick Sr., Jim Poferl, and Reuben Juntunen. Reverend Harry Lichy will officiate funeral services at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 3rd at First Presbyterian Church in Pine City. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be at Birchwood Cemetery in Pine City.