Eunice Zimprich

Eunice Mannie Zimprich, 70, Cooperstown, ND passed away with her husband, Don and the girls, D.J. and Brandi, by her side at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND on February 14, 2024.  In honor of her wishes an outdoor celebration of her life is being planned for this spring/summer.  The Lerud Mathias Funeral Home in Valley City will be handling the arrangements.  An online guestbook is available at www.lerudmathias.com

She said many times over the years when she overcame some health obstacle that “this isn’t how my story ends, I have another chapter.”  Her story started in McVille, ND on October 30, 1953, when she was the last child born to Ernest and Dagny (Rude) Mannie.  The next chapters were filled in living in Tolna, ND where she grew up and attended school, graduating in 1971 and then attending NDSU.  Her father died when she was a young girl and Dagny had to take time in the summer to keep up her teaching credentials, so the kids spent time with other relatives.  Eunice spent many summer months with Russell and Eloise Nelson in Hannaford, ND.

June 7, 1972, the married chapters began when she married Don Zimprich at Tolna American Lutheran Church.  They made their home in Igloo, SD for a few years before returning to ND.  She worked at the Sagebrush Inn and Dakota Swine while living in Igloo.

The mom chapters started with daughter, Dawn “D.J.” and continued with daughter, Brandi.  She was always their biggest supporter in all aspects of their lives.

The family moved to ND, first living on the Zimprich farm where Don’s father was raised, and eventually into Cooperstown.  Eunice worked at Severson’s Super Valu for several years, Someplace Else Furniture and Flooring, and Farmers Union Self Serv.  She was currently enjoying being a volunteer at the More For Less Thrift Store.  She served on the Cooperstown School Board during the years of consolidating Cooperstown and Hannaford Schools.

A twist in her story came in 2005 when she had a lung transplant.  From then on there were several health-related chapters added.  She was a survivor of a few different cancers, had some bumps and bruises, but stayed strong through it all.

Some of her most cherished chapters were the Nana ones.  The granddaughters were major factors in her decision to be put on the transplant list.  If it weren’t for the transplant, she wouldn’t have made it to the grandson chapter.  She and Papa made it to as many of the grandkid’s activities as they could and spent time with Dexter when Brandi and Jeremy had to be away from home.

Her free time was spent reading, doing puzzles, or playing games on her computer.  She enjoyed being able to keep up with friends and relatives on Facebook.  Eunice loved springtime and being able to start getting her back yard patio set up with a variety of flowers and plants.

Left to continue her story are her husband, Don and daughters Dawn “D.J.” (Ryan) Mathias and Brandi (Jeremy Wolff) Zimprich.  The next series will be written by her grandchildren, Allysen, Hadlee, and Trever Mathias.  Other characters in her story are her grand dogs, Dexter and Soldier; her siblings, Deanna Montgomery, Monica (John) Bacon, Marcia (Mike) Gage and Clark Mannie; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceding her into the sequel of her story were her parents; brother-in-law, Dennis “Monty” Montgomery and sister-in-law, Christine “Chris” Mannie.