Eunice Joyce Rants, 86, Bismarck, passed away Saturday, January 3, 2026, in Bismarck surrounded by loved ones.

Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at Parkway Funeral Service, 2330 Tyler Pkwy, Bismarck. Visitation will be held one hour prior. 

Burial to follow at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery at 2 PM, Mandan, ND.

Eunice was born November 6, 1939, the daughter of Charles and Hazel Malard. She was raised on the family farm in Menoken and graduated from Bismarck High School. After graduation, she worked at Provident Life where she met many lifelong friends.

On June 23, 1962, she married Kenneth Rants in Bismarck at McCabe Methodist Church. Together they had three children Terry, Brian and Jolene.

Her favorite pastimes were baking; specifically, her buns, caramel rolls, angel food cake and donuts, cooking, playing penny slots, gardening with Kenny, fishing and spending time with her grandkids and great grandkids.

Eunice will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and all that knew her.

Eunice is survived by her husband of 63 years, Kenny; sons, Terry (Linda) Rants, Brian (Kristie) Rants, daughter Jolene (Brent) Merrigan; grandchildren, Josh, Jayden and Jami Rants, Haylie (Jesse) Wetzel, Madison (Logan) Boettcher, Kaitlyn (Travis) Hayward, Cameron Rants, Cade (Abby) Merrigan and Kennedy Merrigan; great-grandchildren, Weston and Rylee Wetzel and Baylor Boettcher; brother, Elroy (Tina) Malard; brother-in-law, Wayne Gable; sisters-in-law, Mary Malard, Marlys Schlichenmayer and Gloria Rants; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Eunice was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Eugene and Leon; sisters, Irene, Marie, Evelyn, Norma, Anna, Bertha, Charline and three infant sisters.