Eunice Coughlin, 87
Eunice Coughlin, 87, of Blooming Prairie, lost her battle with cancer at Homestead Hospice House in Owatonna on Sept. 8, 2008. She was born April 29,1921 to Edward and Mabel (Christianson) Basness in Steele County, Minn. She grew up in rural Blooming Prairie and graduated from Blooming Prairie High School in 1938. After receiving her teaching degree from Winona State College, Eunice taught for five years at country schools before becoming employed as a secretary for 18 years with Blooming Prairie School District. At age 73 she returned to Blooming Prairie School to tutor special needs children. Eunice is the founder of the Blooming Prairie Cancer Benefit which she started in 2001. She was baptized and confirmed at Red Oak Grove Lutheran Church and later became a member of Saint Columbanus Catholic Church. Eunice enjoyed baking, sewing, quilting, gardening and most of all spending time with her family.
Eunice leaves behind her son, Francis (Cheryl) Coughlin, Blooming Prairie; daughters, Sue (Wally) Helgeson, rural Austin, Colleen (Jack) Spurbeck, Kasson, Teresa Coughlin, rural Byron; 16 grandchildren, Dawn Underwood, Bearach Coughlin, Jane Helgeson-Davis, Sara Fett, Anne Farniok, Mary Morem, Brandon Helgeson, Mark Coughlin, Christopher Coughlin, Laura Hamersma, Matthew Goodner, Elizabeth Spurbeck, Melissa Alness, Mark Spurbeck, Erin Kyllo, Alex Giere; 30 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; siblings, Lucille Peterson, Blooming Prairie; Doreen Bir, Charles Town, W.Va.; Janice Strohschein, Detroit Lakes; in-laws, Myrtle Jacobson, Blooming Prairie, Paul Coughlin, Mankato, Chuck (Loretta) Coughlin, Blooming Prairie, Robert Coughlin, Phoenix, Ariz., Clair (Pauline) Coughlin, Osseo, Kathleen (Jim) Murphy, Faribault, Minn.; nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Mark; daughter, Darla Bauer; son-in-law, Gary Bauer; grandson, David Bauer; great-granddaughter, Kylie Coughlin.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 at Saint Columbanus Catholic Church in Blooming Prairie. Friends may call from 4 -7 p.m. Wednesday at Worlein Blooming Prairie Funeral Home and at the church one hour prior to the service. A prayer service will be held at 5 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home. Interment is at Saint Columbanus Catholic Cemetery in Blooming Prairie. In lieu of flowers Eunice requested memorials be directed to Eagles Cancer Telethon.