Eva Louise Bilsten
January 5, 1931 — November 19, 2021
Eva Louise Bilsten, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of November 19, 2021. At the age of 90 years and 10 months, she decided her time here on earth was done. She received an invitation she couldn’t refuse to a reunion with family and friends she had not seen in a long time, an invitation to an engagement from which she will not return. Her new journey has taken her to a wonderful place where she is already socializing, reading, and playing bridge to her heart’s content.
Eva was born to the late Harold and Evangeline Kracht (Pat and Toots) on January 5, 1931, in Carroll, Iowa. She grew up on a farm outside of Westside, Iowa and attended a one room country school through grade 8. She continued her high school education at Westside High School, graduating in 1947. Following graduation, she received her teaching certificate in 1949 from Buena Vista College and taught school in the Denison School District for many years. In 1968, she returned to Midwestern College and received her BA. Eva had a passion for learning which she shared with countless children over the 42 years she taught school. She made a difference in the lives of many.
Eva married the late Ralph Bilsten in 1951 and they were blessed with three children. They made their home in Westside and Denison, Iowa before retiring to Sun City, Arizona in 2006. Eva is survived by her three children: Mark ( Pat) Bilsten of Denison, Iowa, Jan (Rob Simmens) of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Jodi (Bob Hall) of Littleton, Colorado. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Eva was predeceased by her husband Ralph in 2011.
Eva Juggled a full-time teaching job with raising three children and still found time for hobbies that she enjoyed and excelled at. Eva was an avid golfer even taking home the Women’s Championship trophy. She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible school, she was a great seamstress , an excellent cook, baker, party hostess, and bridge player.
While we will miss her so, we were fortunate to have her with us as long as we did. We will remember her smile, her warmth, her energy, her zest for life, and her love for family and friends. Eva was immensely proud of her family, and she leaves behind nothing, but wonderful memories.
Memorials may be sent to Denison Elementary School Library
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88683261916
Eva was born to the late Harold and Evangeline Kracht (Pat and Toots) on January 5, 1931, in Carroll, Iowa. She grew up on a farm outside of Westside, Iowa and attended a one room country school through grade 8. She continued her high school education at Westside High School, graduating in 1947. Following graduation, she received her teaching certificate in 1949 from Buena Vista College and taught school in the Denison School District for many years. In 1968, she returned to Midwestern College and received her BA. Eva had a passion for learning which she shared with countless children over the 42 years she taught school. She made a difference in the lives of many.
Eva married the late Ralph Bilsten in 1951 and they were blessed with three children. They made their home in Westside and Denison, Iowa before retiring to Sun City, Arizona in 2006. Eva is survived by her three children: Mark ( Pat) Bilsten of Denison, Iowa, Jan (Rob Simmens) of Cedar Falls, Iowa and Jodi (Bob Hall) of Littleton, Colorado. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Eva was predeceased by her husband Ralph in 2011.
Eva Juggled a full-time teaching job with raising three children and still found time for hobbies that she enjoyed and excelled at. Eva was an avid golfer even taking home the Women’s Championship trophy. She taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible school, she was a great seamstress , an excellent cook, baker, party hostess, and bridge player.
While we will miss her so, we were fortunate to have her with us as long as we did. We will remember her smile, her warmth, her energy, her zest for life, and her love for family and friends. Eva was immensely proud of her family, and she leaves behind nothing, but wonderful memories.
Memorials may be sent to Denison Elementary School Library
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88683261916
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eva Louise Bilsten, please visit our flower store.