Photo by Jim Muchlinski Eunice Herrick demonstrates dance steps for a line dance class held Friday at the Marshall Area YMCA.

MARSHALL — Thirteen years ago Eunice Herrick lost her lifelong dance partner, but she continued to enjoy the dance floor.

She turned to line dancing after trying out the dance known as the electric slide at an area dance event. Since then she’s learned a total of 155 line dances and enjoys dancing almost every weekend in Sioux Falls.

She also serves as a dance instructor by teaching a Friday morning line dance class at the Marshall Area YMCA. Other teaching experiences have included Southwest Minnesota State University’s Gold College program, Marshall Community Services, school physical education classes, and private groups.

She said line dancing has played a major role in her goal to be physically fit and socially active in retirement. Attending dances brings back memories of when she and her husband, Duane used to dance every dance events throughout the region.

“After he passed away I didn’t have a dance partner,” Eunice said. “I went to a dance, saw line dancing and deicded I wanted to learn. I’ve been line dancing ever since.”

She currently serves on the board of directors for the Dakota Country Dance Club. She said Sioux Falls is the closest location for southwestern Minnesota residents to regularly line dance.

She finds that it’s always worth the trip to dance because of both the exercise and the social opportunities. She said line dancing is popular with a variety of age groups.

“It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s really good exercise. Another advantage is that it helps people my age with memory. We have to remember the steps and match them to music.”

She enjoys her role as a dance instructor since it introduces new people to dancing. Anyone can participate even if they don’t have prior dance experience. Physical fitness is helpful, but people who have an average level of fitness can normally dance for at least part of a class or dance event.

“It’s not hard to learn,” Herrick said. “It starts with mastering some of the basic steps and then building them into the dances. Sometimes people get started because they have a family wedding coming up. They find that they enjoy it and want to keep up with it.”

In addition to line dance, Herrick regularly participates in YMCA aquatics activities and exercise classes. She said meeting people at the YMCA often leads to social friendships that extend beyond the facility.

“Some of my best friends are people I’ve met at the YMCA,” she said. “It’s a real bonus for Marshall. We can get the exercise we need and have opportunities to socialize.”

Helen Langer, a participant in the line dance class, said Herrick sets a great example for class members when it comes to staying active.

“Eunice is an inspiration,” Langer said. “She swims first thing in the morning and goes to dances at night. She’s a real 24-hour person.”

Pat Hagberg, another participant, said Herrick’s dance class offers a weekly opportunity to dance in Marshall. She often line danced in Arizona. Her location in Arizona had dances every weekend,

“I’ve line danced for years,” Hagberg said. “It’s good at my age because it helps my neuropathy. It’s also a really good social activity.”