Eva (Martinez) Garza, age 66 of Overland Park, Kansas passed away November 21, 2017 at Overland Park Regional Medical Center.

Eva was born March 20, 1951 to Alfonso Martinez and Isabel Sanchez Martinez, who predeceased her. She grew up in a large, loving family with 5 sisters and 3 brothers in Brady, Texas. She was very close with all her siblings and loved and adored them endlessly.

In 1967, she would elope with her first and only love Manuel Garza of Goodland, Kansas. The two had 4 sons, Austin Garza (died 1999 at 31), Gary Garza, Manuel Garza Jr, Maximo Garza and only daughter Maria Pickel. She has 8 grandchildren; Eric Reyna, Stevie Garza, Ashley Garza, Seth Garza, Brandon Smothers, Austin Pickel, Delia Eva Garza, Savanna Eva Garza and 4 great-grandchildren.

Eva was a very devoted wife and mother with endless love, nurturing and compassion. She loved to see her children and grandchildren happy and loved. It was her greatest joy to see them smile. Eva spent her whole life loving, laughing and praying for others. If you were lucky enough to call her a relative or friend, you understand first hand that she loved and protected hers fiercely. She loved garage sales and loved taking the kids to explore. She was an amazing person and greatly loved by all.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland. A vigil and rosary service will begin at 7:00 PM MT at the funeral home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, November 29, 2017 at 10:30 AM MT at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Goodland with Father Andrew Rockers officiating. Burial will follow in the Goodland Cemetery, Goodland, Kansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eva Garza Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.

Online condolences may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.

Funeral service arrangements were entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.

If Roses Grow in Heaven:

If Roses grow in Heaven,
Lord please pick a bunch for me,
Place them in my mother’s arms
And tell her they’re from me.

Tell her I lover and miss her,
And when she turns to smile,
Place a kiss upon her cheek
And hold her for a while.

Because remembering her is easy,
I do it every day,
But there’s an ache with my heart
That will never go away.