Eunice Claudette Fernhout

Eunice C. Fernhout was born February 6, 1935, in Blackwell, WI to Ann (Marquette) Clinard and Rexford Climard. Eunice was raised in Wabeno, WI and moved to Milwaukee, WI after graduating high school. She began working at Standard Oil where she met John “Jack” Fernhout. The couple married on March 12, 1955 and Jack’s job at Standard Oil/ Amoco Oil resulted in several relocations including Madison, WI, Baltimore, MD, Roanoke, VA, back to Baltimore, MD, then to Arlington Heights IL, and on to West Des Moines, IA.

Eunice delighted in taking classes and learning new skills. She took numerous cooking classes and Jack created a personalized cookbook of all her recipes which she provided to their children. Eunice sewed many outfits for her daughters and created teddy bears for many years. She took yoga before yoga was popular, swimming classes, and was usually enrolled in some type of exercise class throughout her life.

Eunice was a devoted and loving, wife and mother. She is survived by her children: Chris (Linda) Fernhout of San Antonio TX, Diane (BJ) Grassmann of Neenah WI, and Mary Landreth of Neenah WI; her half-brother, Richard Arquette; and her grandchildren: Caity, Jack, and Scott Grassmann, Christine and Casey Fernhout, and Nick Landreth.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her oldest son, John Brian Fernhout; and her parents.

The family would like to thank all the staff at CopperStone and Heartland Hospice for their care and compassion.

Eunice passed away January 9, 2024. Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1627 Grand Avenue in West Des Moines on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with burial to follow at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines.

In lieu of flowers, please support your cause of choice. Condolences may be expressed online at www.hamiltonsfuneralhome.com.

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