Eunice M. Soonpaa

Eunice Marie (Refsell) Soonpaa, 94, Grand Forks, ND, passed away Sunday, November 7, 2021 at Valley Senior Living on 42nd.

Eunice Marie (Refsell) Soonpaa died on November 7, 2021, in Grand Forks, ND.  She was born on February 3, 1927, to Josephine (Peterson) and Oscar Refsell in Estherville, Iowa, where she grew up.  Despite the hardships of the Depression and WWII, she had fond memories of summers at the lake and weekends at their family farm, as well as regular attendance at Lutheran church services and activities. She loved sports and participated in tumbling and basketball.  After graduating from high school at barely 17 as the salutatorian of her class, she attended junior college, then graduated from St. Olaf College with a major in Religion.  She received her nursing degree from Fairview Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, where she then worked as a nurse and later taught as an instructor.  She met Dr. Henn Soonpaa on a Lutheran singles’ group ski trip and married him in 1959; they had two children, Nancy, Lubbock, TX, and Mark (Kris), Indianapolis, IN.

In 1966, the family moved to Grand Forks, where Eunice lived the rest of her days. Those days were filled with serving her church, spending time with her family and beloved dogs, attending Fighting Sioux games, and producing a steady stream of baked goods for family, friends, and the community at large. In her later years, she enjoyed traveling—especially to Hawaii and Alaska--and the arrival of her beloved only grandchild, Marsali, whom she taught to love ice cream, baking, and corn in all forms.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, and her husband; she is survived by her children, grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.

While flowers are appreciated, please also consider memorials in her name to Sharon Lutheran Church, Grand Forks.

Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at Sharon Lutheran Church of Grand Forks. Visitation will be for the hour before the service in the church. Burial will be in Memorial Park South Cemetery of Grand Forks.