Enid Euno

Enid Minnette (Waydeman) Euno, 96, of Rockford was called home to be with Jesus on Saturday, April 1, 2017, in River Bluff Nursing Home.  Enid was born to Henry and Anita (Frankhauser) Waydeman on February 27, 1921, in Anamoose, ND. Raised in the wide-open prairies of the “Dakotas”, she survived many savage winters, ferocious “dust bowls” that plagued that part of the country, as well as the Great Depression.  Enid was a tenacious survivor, as well as an over-achiever.  Her tough environs in her formative years would eventually foster a lifelong “prairie pragmatism.”  In a time of tremendous hardship and extremely limited resources, Enid earned a Bachelors’ Degree in chemistry from the University of North Dakota.

Enid was a recipient of the benefits and blessings that come with being raised in a Christian home.  She embraced the faith of her parents, which brought her into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ at a tender age.  Her faith would govern her decisions and lifestyle for years to come, including the choice of her life-long partner.

The turbulent days of World War II found Enid working in Grand Forks, North Dakota.  At the church which she regularly attended, she met a young war-bound soldier by the name of William Euno.  He was a handsome Frenchman, short in stature and a real gentleman.  It was “love at first sight” and they just knew that God had meant them for each other!  Enid patiently and prayerfully waited in hope while William “Bill” trudged across Europe, even to the Battle of the Bulge.  After the long, dreaded war was over, the Lord brought him safely back—to Enid’s joy and delight.  They were married on August 18, 1946, in Fargo N.D.

They subsequently moved to Collinsville, IL, the place of William’s birth.  Bill traveled to Rockford in search of employment and was successful in landing a job in Osco Drug Store.  It would be a very significant move, for Rockford would remain the place of their residence for the rest of their lives.  William’s gifts and personality were a natural fit for customer service and merchandizing within the drug store (industry).  He would remain there until his retirement thirty years later.  Their marriage produced two children, Karen and Garth.  Enid was a diligent and caring mother with a deep concern for the spiritual well-being of her children.  Karen testifies to the fact that her mother led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ when she was only seven years old.

Though Enid did not follow her brothers into the medical field, she eventually brought her distinguished university education to the classroom.  However, Enid wanted to help those who were navigating the first stages of their education, so she became a first-grade teacher.  Like her husband, her teaching career would epitomize faithful longevity.  She would remain in the classroom, teaching in Welsh and Conklin Elementary Schools until her retirement in 1981.  In her educating of little people, Enid was par excellent’ and a real “teacher at heart.”  She was a patient, yet a no nonsense instructor.  She loved her students.  Years later, she would almost shriek with excitement and her eyes would dance with delight whenever she would encounter her one of her former students.  She was especially enthused whenever she discovered that they were doing well and—after all those years—still remembered her.

Enid did not slow down upon retiring.  In fact, a case could be made that she was more active than ever!  Enid certainly was never one to “let any grass grow under her feet.”  She immediately threw herself into determined, dutiful service at her church.  Her retirement also marked the beginning of her epic tenure of volunteering at River Bluff Nursing Home. Her years of uninterrupted volunteer service would continue until she as 93—except of course, for a hiatus which she took at age 90 in order to recover from open-heart surgery!  Her weekly visits were indeed a “ministry of mercy” as she comforted, encouraged and even joked with the patients in the nursing home, some of whom were younger that she was!

Amidst all of her activities, Enid and Bill, were always ready and “raring to go” to visit their grandchildren, whether it was in the inner-city of Chicago or Atlanta, or in the mountains of Jamaica.  Just say the word and they would be packing their bags.  Once they made up their minds on coming, nothing was stopping them!  To her grandchildren, “Little Grandma” is best remembered for her and “Little Grandpa’s” yearly visits.  They were “real troopers” and never complained, whether accompanying their missionary children to minister in the steamy plains or in the lofty mountains of Jamaica.  Vivid images will always be indelibly recorded of Little Grandma squeezed in the back seat of S.U.V. between the grandchildren, with a kerchief tied tightly over her head to keep her hair from blowing around, while Little Grandpa hung on for dear life, as we flew down the treacherous winding mountain roads.  Suffice it to say that they had a quiet and selfless devotion to the missionary cause, even if it resulted in lengthy separation and great distances between themselves and their beloved daughter and grandchildren.

William’s passing in 2001 changed Enid’s life drastically.  They were the epitome of compatibility throughout their 55 years of marriage.  Assured of Bill’s home in heaven, Enid continued to faithfully serve the Lord, most notably in her devotion to Bethany Presbyterian Church.  Her infectious laughter could be heard throughout the halls of the church at just about every church function.  Her dedication was impeccable.  Witty, keen, caring, opinionated and with frequent “shoot from the hip” comments—that was Enid Euno.  At 95, she was still going strong, causing many to turn and wonder, “where is that little (old) lady going so fast?”

Enid had a keen mind and she was an avid reader.  Once, she visited the family in Jamaica while Brad, her son-in-law, was struggling through his doctoral thesis.  As he was reading through his textbooks (once), it was not uncommon for Enid to read through them twice!  She was a real thinker.  Although one could not always tell what she was thinking.  She would often make a statement and then fix her gaze on you—waiting for a response.  She possessed her own sort of unassuming swagger—as if she was a step ahead of the rest of us.  Yet she was humble and supportive—even if she didn’t agree with you.  Enid was a peacemaker.

Her wit and (own brand of) humor did not diminish with age, even as her health deteriorated.  Even in the hospital and in the nursing home, even in the midst of discomfort and pain, she maintained an amazingly cheery countenance—as she commended the staff and attendants and surprised them with her timely comments and quips.
As Enid’s body weakened and her health regressed, her spirit began to “be renewed day by day” (2 Cor. 4:16).  Even during those awful days when she languished in the nursing home, she radiated—her countenance was aglow with the presence of the Lord.  As her body weakened, her spiritual life seemed to grow stronger.  In the end, it was all that she wanted—to be with Jesus.  She suffered and pass from this life nobly—with incredible grace—into the awaiting arms of her Savior.

It could be said that Enid Euno was truly “one of a kind.”  She was a joy to know and brought joy and humor to so many lives.  She taught us to not take ourselves too seriously.  She taught us that there is a lot more to thank God for—even laugh about—than complain and worry about.  She taught us that regardless of our status, life is worth living.  It is a wonderful gift from God and we should make the most of it.

Enid’s survivors include her daughter, Karen (Brad) Rostad; son, Garth Euno; grandchildren, Kimberly (Jose) Vejarano, Brad (Kristin) Rostad and Kristen (Garfield) Williams; great-grandchildren, Malaki, Abagail, Alyssa, Ella and Emily; sister-in-law, Karen Waydeman; numerous nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by her parents; husband; and brothers, Burnell (Ann) and Earl “Bud” Waydeman.

Service at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 13, in Bethany Presbyterian Church, 5403 North 2nd Street, Loves Park, with visitation from 10 a.m. to service time.  Burial in Greenwood Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established.  Arrangements by Delehanty Funeral Home, Ltd., Loves Park.