Eunice Florence Kiihn

Eunice Kiihn, age 85, of Marshall, Minnesota, died on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the Avera Granite Falls Care Center in Granite Falls, Minnesota. Memorial Services are 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Marshall. A reception for attendees will follow at the AmericInn Hotel in Marshall. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m, at the Hamilton Funeral Home. Interment will be at a later date in the Ellendale (North Dakota) City Cemetery.

Eunice Florence Merkel was born on July 11, 1938, in North Dakota. She was the youngest daughter of John and Eva (Klipfel) Merkel. She was baptized and confirmed into the Christian faith in the Lutheran tradition.  She grew up on the family farm near Forbes, North Dakota, and moved with her father and siblings to Ellendale following the death of her mother in 1955. Eunice graduated from Forbes High School with the class of 1957 and then spent a semester at college in Ellendale. She worked at the Nodak Cafe where she met Roger Kiihn who also attended college in town. 

Eunice and Roger were united in marriage in a double wedding ceremony with her sister, Jeannette, on June 19, 1958, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ellendale. They made their home in Wilton and then Willow City, North Dakota, before moving to Minnesota where they lived briefly in Westbrook. In 1972 the Kiihn family purchased a farm near Dovray, MN. The couple raised four children there: Robin, Jay, Penny, and Rogann. 

In addition to being a homemaker and mother, she was a member of the Ladies Aide at Dovray Lutheran Church and was active in volunteering for Uffda Days. Eunice loved playing bridge and was a member of several card clubs. She also stayed involved in the Westbrook and Dovray communities. When her children were older, she enjoyed working outside the home.  Eunice sewed canvas at the local fish house factory, worked at Schmidt's Bed and Breakfast, and spent many years as an overnight cashier at Walmart. Her other enjoyments included crocheting, the beach at Lake Shetek, ceramics, decorating her home, and visiting the casino. Eunice was the FUN grandma and spent countless hours with her grandkids. She loved to entertain and host her family. She was known by all for her outgoing spirit and joy of life. 

Eunice Kiihn died on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at the Avera Granite Falls Care Center. She was attended by her children for four days and died lovingly surrounded by them. She had reached the age of 85 years, 5 months, and 23 days. Blessed be her memory!

She is survived by 3 of her children, Robin (and Theresa) Kiihn of Minnetonka, Jay (and Beth) Kiihn of Tracy, Penny (and Dean) Wyffels of Cottonwood; 8 grandchildren, Kristy (and Zach) Jahoda, Erik (and Abbey) Kiihn, Elijah (and Tori) Kiihn, Ezra (and Kat) Kiihn, Brittney Meyer, Brianna (and Trevor) Wagner, Hannah (and Mike) Gillen, and Maddie (and Cody) Knock; 9 great-grandchildren, Lorelai, Natalie, Eliza, Alayna, Everly, Truett, Huxley, Paisley, and Kane; sister, Jeannette Coombs of Melbourne, FL; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

Eunice was preceded in death by her parents, John and Eva Merkel; daughter, Rogann Kiihn; and 10 siblings.