Eva Mae Vanderheiden, 93, passed away on Saturday, December 20th at Valley View Villa in Fort Morgan.

Eva Mae Vanderheiden was a dedicated and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, neighbor, and friend. She took living a meaningful life seriously. She loved being a wife and mother and shared many important life lessons, values and skills with everyone she encountered. She was organized, energetic, giving of self, strong, skilled, fun, funny, and a risk taker. She was involved with her community at many levels and very supportive of her children's activities.

Eva was born to Harry and Margaret Kilgore on June 22, 1932. She had one brother and one sister. She married Loyd Vanderheiden and they had five children. David Vanderheiden (Jennifer, Judy, Deborah) of Corpus Christi, Texas, Deb Hanson (Gordon) of Fort Morgan, Rick Vanderheiden of Haxtun, Susan (Albert) Kauffman of Atwood, and Lori (Chris) Smits of Wiggins.

One of her largest accomplishments was when they finished building their first home in Yuma. She was well known all of her adult life for wearing red lipstick and perfectly manicured polished fingernails. Other note-worthy words and phrases to describe her: An ability to anticipate what the family food needs and canned for the next year. She decorated the house for every holiday and season: she valued volunteering and received state recognition with March of Dimes. She was a hard worker, and she had a plan every day. She was conservative and never wasteful.

Some of her hobbies included Arts & Crafts; cooking and baking; raising flowers and a large vegetable garden; playing cards; trips to the mountains; going fishing and camping, and family and friend gatherings. She enjoyed catering and celebrating meals with friends and family.

Eva was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Loyd Vanderheiden.

She is survived by her five children; seven grandchildren, Andrew Vanderheiden of Olympia, WA, Greg Vanderheiden of Waco, TX, Rebecca Vanderheiden of Austin, TX, Amy Klug of Broomfield, CO, Travis Kauffman of Westminster, CO, Kendra Smits of Greeley, CO, Kelsi Smits of Greeley, CO; seven great grandchildren; her brother, Don Kilgore of North Platte, NE; sister, Doris (Rob) Piller of Mission Veijo, CA, and many friends and relatives.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 28th from 4-6 PM at Heer Mortuary, 225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, CO with Recitation of the Holy Rosary beginning at 6:00 PM.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 29th at 10:00 AM at Saint Helena Catholic Church in Fort Morgan. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to a memorial fund or charity of your choice, C/O Heer Mortuary, 225 E. Platte Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.