Justine Sunne
June 16, 1928 ~ February 29, 2024
Justine Sunne, age 95, of Faulkton, passed away, Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Faulkton Senior Living.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, Faulkton, with Fr. John Short presiding. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, Faulkton. Wake service will be 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2024, with visitation one-hour prior, all at the church.
Justine Rita Sunne was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 16, 1928, to Joseph and Cecilia (Hoepki) Przybysz. (She changed Przybysz to the English translation of her name to Prisbe in the 1940s.) When Justine was just 16 years old, she moved to South Dakota with her younger sister, Germaine, and her brother, Jerome, due to the premature death of their parents. Justine and her younger siblings were raised by her brother, Joe, and his wife, Ann, of Roscoe, SD. Older sister, Eve, remained in Detroit with her fiancé, Frank.
Justine worked at Joe and Ann’s Cafe in Roscoe, until she eventually moved to Aberdeen, SD. It was while working at a café she met and fell in love with Carlos Sunne, who was attending Northern State College. Their first date was on St. Patrick’s Day. Every St. Patrick’s Day that followed, Carlos gave Justine green carnation flowers. The two were married on December 31, 1948, in Aberdeen. Justine and Carlos were married for over 60 years.
In September of 1949, the couple moved to Faulkton, SD where Carlos was hired as a 7th and 8th grade teacher. Justine was able to stay at home with their children, Melanie and Randy, until they started school. At that time, Justine began working at the Faulkton Rexall Drugstore. She enjoyed working with Tom and Linda Bartholomew, Agnes Wakefield and Leota Bowar. Not only did they work together, but they also became very good friends.
Justine enjoyed and supported the arts in Faulkton and the area. She helped with the make-up, costumes, and set designs for the high school plays and the Faulkton Area Arts Council melodramas. Justine supported the Faulkton Arts and Crafts festival where she and daughter, Melanie displayed and sold their unique and beautiful designs.
Justine was a gracious hostess. She loved entertaining their friends and Carlos’ school colleagues at their home. She was known to always have the coffee pot on and delicious baked goods when friends came by. Justine was a wonderful cook as well. She loved visiting and sharing big meals with friends and family. No one ever left their home feeling hungry.
Justine had an eye for design, art, and fashion. She and Melanie went on “shop ‘til you drop” trips. The two of them always dressed “to the nines” and always looked fabulous. Even in her later years, Justine took much pride in her appearance-always looking very classy. She had an eye for the details. Justine also sewed many of her own clothes as well as Melanie’s.
Justine was a member of St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church and Altar Society. Her strong faith in God helped her get through the difficult losses in her life as well as celebrate and give thanks for her many blessings.
If you knew Justine, you knew she loved watching old movies, attending musicals, and concerts. One of her favorite entertainers was Neil Diamond. It was not unusual for Justine’s friends to send HER cards on Neil’s January birthday!
There wasn’t a green or flowering plant that Justine couldn’t grow. Her flowerbeds were immaculate. She had Philodendron starters in cups and glasses all over the house. Justine would give slips of her plants to anyone who wanted them. Then she’d say, “Don’t thank me or they won’t grow!”
Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were Justine’s favorite subject. If you had a chance to hear about them… they are “the cutest, most talented, smartest, and well-behaved children ever!”
Justine is survived by her son, Randy (Shari), Valley Springs, SD; son-in-law, Steve Johnson, Nisswa, MN; five grandchildren: Morgan (Adam) Bobzien, Grant (Rachel) Sunne, Blake (Noel) Sunne, Katie (Derek) Rohman, and Dana (Molly) Johnson; 11 great-grandchildren: Cade, Madilyn, Landree, Ava, Mya, Kenna, Elsie, Griffin, Augie, Asher, and Askel; her brother, Jerome (Delores) Prisbe; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Carlos; daughter, Melanie; parents, Joseph and Cecilia Prisbe; sisters, Eve and Germaine; and brother, Joe.
Memorials in honor of Justine may be sent to St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, PO Box 394, Faulkton, SD 57438 and Faulkton Arts Council, PO Box 552, Faulkton, SD 57438.
Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Justine’s arrangements.
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Justine made a Sweet impression on anyone she met. They were our neighbors when we moved to Faulkton in 1951.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of Justine’s family. Justine was a special lady and she held a special place in our hearts. In Deepest Sympathy,
I did Justine’s hair for over 58 years. I enjoyed our time together and she never had a bad word to say about anyone. I am in Ohio right now and unable to attend the funeral but my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Justine was a sweet, gracious lady to everyone. Our heartfelt sympathy to her family.
So many memories with Carlos and Justine over the years it's hard to count. We spent some wonderful times together doing musicals for the arts council and she did such a great job with the costumes for the shows we did over the years. Memories of Carlos stopping at the drugstore most days after he was done at the school and then when "Jus" started working at the store it was even better. Back in those days Tom and I had a big Christmas dinner at our house for everyone that worked at the store and it couldn't have been a better time with so many laughs and lasting late into the evening. Justine was such a joy with a great smile and she always had a story to tell for just about anything! After she retired, I made many stops at their house over the years for a cup of coffee and cookies and sometimes even a piece of her delicious lemon meringue pie. All of us who knew Justine knew she personified the word "lady" and took pride in her appearance and that beautiful white "updo!" It was her "signature!' One time shortly after she had moved into an apartment at the 8-plex, my daughter Stacey and I stopped in to see her and how she was adjusting. Of course, everything looked great but she was trying to hang some pictures. Stacey said, "Justine, you shouldn't be doing that!" Needless to say we ended up doing it for her! Wonderful memories and stories that will love forever—-I'll never forget her.
Dear Sunne Family:
So sorry for your loss Justine was one of the kindest people I have ever known.
I had seen Justine only a few times before Carlos died when I would come to Faulkton for reunions and stop to see them. After I attended his funeral, I decided to keep in touch with her since Melanie and Randy didn’t live close by and I was in Huron at the time. I would usually see her a couple times a year and would call her every 3 or 4 months. I always enjoyed our visits and she was a gracious host and we became close friends. I will miss our hour long phone calls and visits. She was a wonderful lady. Gregg
I was a guest in the Sunne home many times in grade school, hanging out with Hank. Justine was always warm and welcoming to me, and I got to know her gracious hospitality firsthand. Experiences that were important to me, growing up and socializing with people outside my family, although I probably wasn't aware at the time. Then after high school I'd occasionally see Justine when I was back in Faulkton, and she was always delighted to see me, encouraging and upbeat…no doubt many people who had the pleasure of knowing Justine had similar experiences, and hopefully passed along those good social graces to others along the way.
We are so saddened to hear of the passing of Justine. As you know, Randy, your Mom and Dad were very special people to us starting way back in high school. Unfortunately we were not able to see them as often as we would have liked but that friendship was still there. We were fortunate to have two great visits with Justine at the last All School reunion. She was just as sharp as ever. We will forever treasure the memories we have of Justine and Carlos. Our sympathy to you!