Eunice Spence-Luebker, age 96 of River Falls, Wisconsin, died peacefully on June 20, 2025, at Wellhaven Senior Care in River Falls.
Eunice was born on October 20, 1928, in the town of Backus, Minnesota in the County of Cass, to Victor H. and Ardis (Johnson) Swanson. When she was very young, the family moved to Vernon Center, Minnesota where Eunice attended Vernon Center School, graduating with the Class of 1946. Although she had originally wanted to be a journalist, on April 13, 1947, Eunice married Vernon (Vern) Spence in Vernon Center, Minnesota. After Vernon completed his tour of service in the U.S. Army, Eunice and Vern moved back to the Vernon Center area, later moving to the Minnesota Lake, Minnesota area where she and Vern farmed.
In 1962, Eunice and Vern moved to their farm in Spring Valley, Wisconsin where they worked and raised their five children: Terry, Eileen, Rick, Randy and Amy.
In addition to working as a farm wife and homemaker, over the years Eunice also worked for Durand Federal in Spring Valley, attorney Robert Gavic, Glenn Sandve’s Musical Instrument business and Pierce County’s Office of Ageing. She later also volunteered her time at the food shelf in Plum City.
She was always very active in her church. She played the piano for her church, sang in church choirs, including the ecumenical choir and, when her children were younger, directed the youth choir for the Congregational Church in Spring Valley.
In addition to her musical talents, Eunice loved to crochet, garden, raise flowers and was a voracious reader.
Vern died in 1989. She later met Bernard Luebker, and, in 1993, they were married and lived in Plum City, Wisconsin. Eunice and Bernard were married for 17 years until Bernard’s death in 2010.
She loved, and was devoted to, her Lord, her family and her friends and she was happiest when she could spend her time being with her family and friends or communing with her Lord.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband Vernon Spence, second husband Bernard Luebker; daughter Eileen Spence; son Richard (Rick); granddaughter Alyssa Spence; granddaughter Joelle Andreas and her husband Serin; brother Forest Swanson and his wife Dorothy, sister Darlene Foster and her husband Gil; niece Joy Holerud, nephew Vernon Vanasse; in-laws: Wayne and Anita Spence; Russell and Mary Jo Spence; and Evey Vanasse.
Survivors include two sons: Terry (Shelley) Spence; Randy (Bobbi) Spence; daughter Amy (Mitch) Case; daughter in law Kathy Spence; grandchildren: Kelly (Matthew) Schrieber; Aaron (Anne) Spence; Adam (Barbara) Spence; Marilee (Terrell) Johnson; Darren Spence; April (Luke) Olson; Shelby (Ben) Case; Samantha (Dan) Doar; and Jaylen (Baylee) Case; 12 great grandchildren: Katie, Brenna, Logan, Jacob, Jonah, Alma, Ethan, Paige, Abby, Noah, Camryn and Owen; brother-in-law Irvin Vanasse; other relatives and friends.
Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Evangelical Free Church in Plum City. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on July 10, at the church, prior to the service.
The burial will be in the Gilman Lutheran Cemetery, Spring Valley, Wisconsin at a later date.
Keehr Funeral Home, Spring Valley, is handling arrangements.
