Eunice Elaine Blancken Niemann, 90, of Flagler passed away October 1, 2022, at Weisbrod Memorial Hospital in Eads. She was born June 28, 1932, in Flagler, the eighth of nine children of the late George and Wilhelminia “Minnie” (Settgast) Blancken. She was born south of Flagler and, later, the family moved to the family farm north of town. She did chores and enjoyed riding horses with her sisters. 

Eunice was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. She attended Lutheran School through eighth grade, and graduated from Flagler High School in 1950. 

She was the first representative to Girls State. After high school, she attended Denver Business School and worked at the Flagler Telephone Office and Otteman’s Store. 

When Eunice was a senior, she began dating Laurel Niemann. They were married August 2, 1951, when Laurel was on leave from the Army.  After Laurel was discharged, they made their home in several locations in Flagler. They moved into their home of nearly 70 years in 1963. Laurel and others had remodeled the home from a country schoolhouse moved from north of Flagler. 

In 2019, Eunice and Laurel moved to Prairie Pines Assisted Living in Eads.

Eunice was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Walter League, Dorcas Guild, Altar Guild, and Lutheran Laymen's League and sang in the choir. She taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. 

She also worked part-time as a clerk at the Flagler Post Office.  

She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s school events and athletic activities. She especially enjoyed their weddings and having seven great-grandchildren. Her hobbies included quilting, baking, and gardening (especially roses).

She is preceded in death by her parents, George and Minnie; brothers and sisters-in-law, George (Nyla and Thelma) Blancken and Richard (June and Joy) Blancken; sisters and brothers-in-law, Julia, (as an infant), George Nordine, Helen (Herman) Wake, Harriet (Chuck) Jones, Madge (LaVern) Martin, and Nona (Arnold) Zielke; in-laws, John and Erna Niemann; brother-in-law, Donald Niemann; and grandson, Matthew Pooker. 

Eunice is survived by her husband, Laurel of Flagler; children, Lois (Norman) Pooker of Festus, Missouris, Carolyn (Randy) Stevens of Centennial, Sharon (Bart) Stevens of Castle Rock, and Loraine (Roger) Saffer of Eads; grandchildren, Craig (Nancy) Stevens of Aurora, Andy (Molly) Stevens of Nolensville, Tennesee, Ryan (Justina Yeiser) Stevens of Lakewood, Sarah (Sean) Owen of Castle Rock, Adam Saffer of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rebecca Pooker of Hillsboro, Missouri, Destiny (Jeremy) Denney of Topeka Kansas; seven great-grandchildren, Brelyn and Brooklyn Stevens, Elise and Alexis Stevens, Makena and Brooks Owen, and Jameson Denney; one sister, Velma Nordine of Bloomington, Illinois; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Flagler.  The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. officiated by the Pastor Dennis Lucero.  Graveside interment will follow at the Flagler Cemetery.   

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Zion Lutheran Church or the Flagler Community Ambulance Service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral Home.