Eva M. Westphal, a former West Liberty resident, died July 24, 2021.
Eva was born in Courtland, Kansas on April 12, 1924. In 1936 her family relocated to Iowa when she was in the seventh grade. Iowa was her home until her husband Wes’ job transferred them to Omaha, where they settled and would finish their lives.
Her husband Clarence ‘Wes’ Westphal was a former principal and coach at West Librty High School.
Eva had a love of music and participated in several vocal and instrumental groups including marching band, where she played the sousaphone. She also played the piano by ear and was always ready to play tunes on any piano she could find. She also taught herself how to play the pump organ, which she owned for many years. Both her children and grandchildren got to sing hymns and Christmas carols when at her home, as she would often play for family gatherings.
Eva was a talented seamstress and made almost all her clothing as a young adult. She had a knack of taking patterns and changing them slightly for a better-looking or better-fitting garment. Once she had children, she used her sewing skills to make her daughters not only their everyday clothes, but dresses for special occasions, the children proud to wear the beautiful items she lovingly made.
She even took on the daunting task of making her daughter Kathy copycat Dorothy’s ruffles drapes, which required 100 yards of fabric. Definitely a labor of love (but one she wouldn’t have wanted to repeat)! Later in life, she used her sewing skills to create a business designing, sewing and selling stuffed bunnies and bears, which she sold at country stores and craft fairs. Her items were displayed in several consignment shops, some as far away as Indiana.
Her homemaking skills didn’t stop there as she was also a wonderful cook. She loved family and relished times that could be spent together. She always made the time for fun with the grandchildren, whether outside playing, spending time in her playroom with beautiful dress-up clothes and fun props or finding treasures in her craft drawer. She was never too busy for visitors.
Eva had many friends as she loved people, spending time nurturing those relationships year after year by phone calls, cards and letters. She had a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye that was not easily forgotten. Even at the end of her life when she was in terrible pain from two different falls, she always had a kind word of thanks for those who cared for her.
Eva was married to ‘Wes’ Westphal for 78 years. Eva often said, “We have had such a good life.” Wes proceeded her in death by 11 days. Other family members preceding her in death include a brother, Lawrence Wilcox; sisters Laurene Rockrohr and Joy Hovey, daughter Bobbie Schrader and grandson Kyle Westphal.
Eva is survived by a son, Ken Westphal, daughter Kathy Holdsworth (Dean), and four granddaughters, one grandson and eight great-grandchildren.
No service is planned.