Eunice Croom

Eunice Faye Ahrens, was born on July 25, 1920 in Graceville, Minnesota, the daughter of August and Ida (Eckhart) Ahrens. Eunice was baptized on August 29, 1920 and confirmed in 1937 by Reverend Gustav A. Pilgrim at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Chokio, where she also grew up. Eunice graduated from Morris High School and continued her education at the Minneapolis Business School of Commerce. She began working in an insurance office in Chatfield, MN. When her brother was drafted, she moved back to Morris to help her parents and also worked at the Morris State Bank. Eunice was united in marriage to Howard Arthur Croom on October 20, 1945 at Peace Lutheran Church in Morris. The couple started farming the Croom family farm at Hancock and was blessed with a daughter, Linda. They later bought their own farm at Johnson, MN, it was here that Eunice learned to play bridge and played with many groups over the years. Eunice and Howard retired from farming in the late 1950's and moved to Morris. She worked for the Stevens County Welfare Office as a stenographer for several years and also measured PIC acres. She served as secretary for the Morris Area Chamber of Commerce until her retirement.

Eunice was a member of Faith Lutheran Church. She also belonged to many bridge clubs, whist clubs, homemakers club and a literary club. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, cooking and spending time at their camper on Lake Mary near Alexandria. Most of all she loved her family.

Eunice died on Saturday, August 27, 2005 at the SCMC Hospice Courage Cottage in Morris, having lived to reach the age of 85 years.

She is survived by her daughter: Linda (Jack) Montzka of Alexandria; two grandchildren: Tara (Darren) Engelbrecht of Alexandria and Jason (Jill) Montzka of Morris; five great-grandchildren: Hunter, Ethan, Gavin and Seth Engelbrecht and Chayla Montzka. Eunice was preceded in death by her parents: Ida and August Ahrens; her husband: Howard Croom and one brother: Dwayne Ahrens.