Eva Helen Williams departed this life April 2, 2014 at Hays Medical Center, Hays Ks.
She was born Dec. 10, 1916 in rural Trego County, Ks, to Jacob and Katharina (Kerth) Armbruster.
She married Harvey L Hillman on Feb 7, 1937 at Christ Lutheran Church in Ellis, Ks. He preceded her in death on Mar 11, 1975. She married Howard R Williams on Aug 9, 1980 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in WaKeeney. She attended Pleasant Ridge Grammar School, Ellis High School, and graduated from Trego Community High School in 1935.
She worked for JC Penney in WaKeeney, and as the cook for Ogallah Grade School. She sold Beeline Clothing out of her home and was the Trego County Register of Deeds for 18 years, retiring in 1978.
She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Bethlehem Daughters and helped start the Golden Age Prayer Circle. She was a member of the YMP Club, Cedar Bluff Campers, and the hospital auxiliaries of Hadley Hospital in Hays, Ks and Trego County Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, Ks.
Eva loved to take care of her entire family and attended as many of their events as possible. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved dancing, camping with Harvey and traveling to see new sites with Howard. One of her favorite holidays was Halloween; Eva greatly delighted in donning costumes and creating good natured mischief with family and friends. She especially loved cooking. She couldn’t wait to test new recipes to share with all who came to visit. Her monkey bread was a favorite treat of those lucky enough to receive the gift of food from her. While living at the Senior Apartments, she gifted every resident with a cake on their birthday each year.
Survivors include:
Two daughters: Peggy McNeal-Margheim (Les), Russell, Ks and Nancy Dietz (Raydene), Estes Park, Co; stepson Richard Williams (Joan) Weatherford Tx.
Grandchildren: Stacy Myers, Gladstone Mo, Lyle McNeal Jr (Linda) Pleasant Valley Mo, LaTisha Connelly (Jarrod) North Platte Ne and Kodi Clark (Adam) Littleton Co.
Step Grandchildren: Charles Cox Denver Co, Bob (Tae) Williams Westworth, Tx and Joanne (David)Roblez Weatherford Tx.
Great- Grandchildren: Alyssa McNeal, Austin McNeal, Drew Connelly, Hayley Clark, Craig Sweitzer, and Erika Yates.
Sisters: Martha Mai, Wichita Ks, and Loretta Wilson Mankato, Ks; Sisters-in-law: Joyce Hillman, Russell, Ks and Bessie Williams, Washington, Ks; and a host of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by husbands Harvey and Howard; brothers Christ Armbruster, Ernest Armbruster, and Fritz Armbruster; sisters Jennie Claycamp, Carrie Armbruster, Edna Weber and Viola “O’Lee” Moden; step-daughter Karen Cernik and step-granddaughter Celinda Yates.
A family hosted celebration of Eva’s life will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, August 30, 2014 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, WaKeeney KS with inurnment to follow at the WaKeeney City Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to Bethlehem Lutheran Church or Trego County Long Term Care.
Condolences can be sent to the family in care of the Schmitt Funeral Home, WaKeeney KS, or by guest book at www.schmittfuneral.com.