Eunice Carolyn Pryor was born July 31, 1932, in rural Elmo, Kansas, the daughter of William and Clara (Reiff) Barten and departed this life March 4, 2022, in Abilene, Kansas. She grew up in the Elmo area, attended Morley School District 48l and graduated DCCHS with the class of 1950. Following graduation she attended Brown Mackie School of Business in Salina, Kansas.
On August 3, 1952, she was united in marriage with Wayne Pryor at the New Basel Evangelical and Reformed Church, Elmo. They lived and farmed south of Abilene until moving to town in the spring of 2001. Outside the home, Eunice worked full-time as a secretary in the law offices of Romine, Lehman and Guilfoyle. After retiring as a legal secretary, she began working part-time for Brown Memorial Foundation.
Eunice and Wayne were blessed with five children, Douglas, Janet, Thaine, Patti and Ronald. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and caregiver, and dearly loved by her family.
Survivors include her children, Doug Pryor (Charlotte) of Abilene, Kansas, Janet Chamberlin (Kenny) of Abilene, Kansas, Thaine Pryor (Kristie) of Overbrook, Kansas, Patti Zielke (Jim) of Weddington, North Carolina, and Ron Pryor (Samantha Kenner) of Abilene, Kansas; grandchildren, Suzann Pryor, Kyle Chamberlin, Alexis Michel (RJ), Brooke Hiatt (Chris), Cassie Bugner (Thomas), Jordan Nelsen (Brent), Drew Zielke, Caroline Zielke, Dallas Pryor, Kiersten Hamit (Brenden), Wyatt Pryor and Misrachael Bush; great grandchildren, Emmy Gfeller, Brayden, Blaine, Blake and Brody Michel, Caroline and Mabel Hiatt, Reagan Bugner, Elliana, Amelia and Annalise Nelsen, Bryson and Emmaline Hamit; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, her parents, brother and sister-in-law, Lowell and June Barten, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Evelyn and Larry Shetter.
Throughout her years on the farm, she enjoyed spending time in her large vegetable garden, harvesting and canning or freezing the produce to provide for her family year around. She could often be found stemming beans or shelling peas while watching one of her children’s baseball or softball games. She also enjoyed playing the piano and organ, sewing, cake decorating, and playing board games with family and pinochle with friends. She loved attending her children's and grandchildren’s school activities, concerts and athletic events. Although limited, Eunice enjoyed traveling. One highlight was a trip to Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Austria in 2006 with her daughters and a grandson. Another was celebrating her 80th birthday in Branson, Missouri, with her family.
Eunice was a lifelong member of New Basel Church, serving in several positions on church council, as well as leading senior youth group and helping with HIS Club. Throughout her life, she loved music, singing in the church choir, and directing the adult and youth choirs. She also enjoyed singing with the Abilene Sweet Adelines for many years. She was an active member of the Dickinson County Republican Women, a Charter Member of the Republican National Committee and a Charter Member of the Eisenhower Legacy Society. Eunice truly had a servant’s heart, serving as a 4-H leader for the Newbern Wideawakes 4-H Club and volunteering with the Dickinson County Historical Society, Memorial Health System Volunteer Corps, and Dickinson County Hospice. She was a regular donor at the American Red Cross.
Visitation with family will be Friday, March 11, 2022, from 5-7 p.m. at Martin Becker Carlson Funeral Home. The memorial service will be Saturday, March 12, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at New Basel Church. Interment will be in New Basel Cemetery immediately following the service. Memorial donations may be made to New Basel Church or the Irish Foundation, c/o Martin-Becker-Carlson Funeral Home, 414 NW Third St., Abilene, KS 67410.