Eunice Kathryn Berland

Eunice Kathryn (Balthazor) Berland, 99, formerly of Zurich, KS, passed away on December 29, 2024, at Via Christi Village in Hays, Kansas. She was born on November 25, 1925, in rural Graham County, Kansas, the third of eight children to Frank and Rosa (Morin) Balthazor.

On December 26, 1947, Eunice married Fred Berland, Jr., and together they were blessed with eight children: Mark, Kay, Ann, Joan, Carol, Mary, Lois, and Rebecca. Fred passed away in 1962, leaving Eunice to care for her young family at the age of 36.

Eunice graduated from Palco High School in 1943 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Nursing Degree from the Dominican School of Nursing in Wichita, Kansas, in 1946. After their marriage, Eunice and Fred moved to the farm in Zurich. Later, she moved to Plainville, where she worked at the Rooks County Health Center, dedicated over 20 years of service volunteering at Sacred Heart School, and was a member of the Sacred Heart Church.

Eunice’s life was marked by her deep faith, devotion to her family, and commitment to serving others. She will be remembered fondly for her kindness, strength, and compassion.

Eunice is survived by her children: Kay (Chris) Basgall of Owosso, MI, Ann (Timothy) Zwink of Piedmont, OK, Mary (Gary) Everett of Wilson, KS, Lois Mason of Ellis, KS and Rebecca (George) Cobb of Peoria, AZ; siblings, Joyce Wasinger of CO and Opal Hochandadel of WA; son-in-law, Walt Slingsby of Clay Center, KS; 16 grandchildren: Paul, Matthew and Jacob Basgall, Alex and Jason Zwink, Shon, Adam and Patrick Slingsby, Kenny, Eric, Lucas and Rachel Everett, and Courtney Espinoza, Emma Warner and Martin Cobb; and 23 great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred; son, Rev. Mark Berland; infant daughter, Joan Louis Berland and daughter, Carol Slingsby; siblings: Lawrence Balthazor, Gilbert Balthazor, Gladys George, Irma Kirkpatrick (Cecilia), and Louise (Virginia); son-in-law, Robert Mason; grandchild, Janelle Slingsby and great-grandchild, Morgan Everett.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2024, at 10AM at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial will follow at St. Ann’s Catholic Cemetery in Zurich. Visitation will be on Wednesday 5-6PM with a Vigil & Rosary Service at 5PM at the funeral home in Plainville.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital and sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd St, Plainville, KS 67669.