Eunice Vaughn Toavs Wiens 84, of Lustre, Montana, passed away at her home, on January 3, 2023, from a short battle with lung cancer. Eunice was born on August 20, 1938, in Wolf Point, Montana , to Frank and Selma Toavs. She was the 2nd of 9 children. She attended Victory School through 8th grade, then attended and graduated valedictorian of her class from Lustre Bible Academy. She attended St. Paul Bible College and Montana State College.
On July 10, 1958, she married William Wiens. Eunice and Bill had four children: Kayleen, Charlotte (Charlie), Russ, and Baron. Bill and Eunice were married for 64 years.
While helping Bill farm, Eunice would bring her quilting with her. Many times she could be found cutting out quilts or appliqué pieces while waiting for her next truck trip. For eight years she was the cook for the students and staff at Lustre grade school. After retiring from cooking she pursued her love of quilting.
She was a self taught quilter who became well-known in Eastern Montana because of the many bazaars and local fairs she participated in. Several quilts were featured in quilting magazines. Many women learned quilting through the annual quilting retreats that she organized and classes that she taught throughout the years.
Of the many quilts she finished, the majority went to her family. Her children received quilts when they graduated from high school and college or when they married. Her grandchildren received quilts upon birth, when they turned age ten, upon graduation, and finally when they married or turned thirty years old – which ever came first. Having twice gone through breast cancer, she had a special place in her heart for those suffering from cancer. People she knew who had cancer received a cancer quilt from her. In addition, she donated many charity quilts to the Denver Childrens Hospital, to the Mayo Clinic, to Nicole’s Legacy, to Lustre Christian High School, and to many other organizations. At times she donated as many as 115 quilts in a year.
Eunice was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Selma Toavs; one sister, Pauline Krahn; and one brother, Arlynn Toavs. She is survived by her husband, William Wiens; her children, Kayleen (Neil) Fagerstrom, Charlotte (Charlie) (Jeff) Pflieger, Russell (Deanna) Wiens, and Baron (Jesse Redekopp) Wiens; by her grandchildren, Christopher (Chelsea) Fagerstrom, Shawn Fagerstrom, Michael Pflieger, Angie (Chad) Haidle, Ashley (Colby) Hash, Nikki Filman , Judy Pruitt, Dylan(Julie Hamilton), Wiens, Hailey (Alax) Jones, Shayla (Brandon) Chalmers, Rebecca Redekopp Kuzmall, Daniel Redekopp Kuzmall Jeremiah Johnson (Bear), and her great-grandchildren, Marley, Wyatt, Aijanna, Riley, Brayden, Karroll, Lily, Amara, Emmalee, Verna, Brenna, Brinley, Eli, Eden, Andrue and baby Fagerstrom.
A Celebration of Life, will be held, March 26th at 3:00pm at the EMB Church, Lustre, Montana.
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Service Schedule
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Bonnie Olson says
Eunice always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. She accepted the trials in her life with a “oh well, it could be worse” attitude. Just being around her made people feel better–warm, loved and happy. She had such a generous and kind heart. I will always cherish the quilted things she made for me. I will also always cherish the memories of her, especially while taking quilting classes from her. It wasn’t just about the quilting. It was sharing, the laughter, the good food, the fellowship I always experienced on that special day. I looked forward to taking her classes for weeks. She was also a shining example of Jesus in action. Her smile, her kind words, her laughter, her wit, her generosity and serving attitude were for everyone, no matter who you are. Her generosity with her time, her talent and her love would be hard to match. I, like many others, miss her so much. We live far away from the Wiens’ home, but I always loved picking up the phone and listening for her “hello”. I miss that sweet voice so much. She was also an example to us all on how to handle suffering and pain. I know she is with Jesus now and I am happy for her. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her sweet family, especially for her Bill. I feel so blessed to have known Eunice. Bonnie Olson
Mary Dillon says
My sincere sympathy to all the family. I will have your family in prayer. It is comforting knowing we will see our loved ones again. Mary Dillon