Eva Charon

eva charon

Eva passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 at Villa Maria surrounded by her loving family.

Eva Vander Heiden was born on November 13, 1907 to Albert and Sarah Van Dyke Vander Heiden in Cato Township southwest of Edmore, ND. She attended school in Cato Township. In 1925 she moved with her family to Devils Lake, ND. She worked at JC Penney during the Christmas season. She also worked in various homes doing housework.

She married Arthur Charon in Devils Lake on September 28, 1929. They moved to a farm near Edmore, where her daughters Beverly and Shirley were born. In 1939, Art and Eva purchased a farm near Lawton, ND. Besides helping Art with fieldwork, she milked cows and maintained a large garden. In the fall of 1950, Art and Eva purchased a home in Devils Lake and began spending their winters there where their daughter Debbie was born.

They retired from farming in 1970 and began living in Devils Lake year round. Eva’s retirement years were filled with activity. She was a member of the Devils Lake Senior Citizens, Sons of Norway, the Rebekahs, Prairie Partners Square Dance Club, the United Methodist Women, and the Lake Region Curling Club. She continued to curl into her early 90’s.  At the age of 91, she delivered the first rock during the opening ceremony of the National Mixed Championships held at the Lake Region Curling Club in Devils Lake.  She served on the election board for many years as a clerk at the polling sites, was very active in the DFL Party, and was a volunteer with the RSVP. She enjoyed caring for her many plants and flowers, working on crossword puzzles, and making quilts for her ever growing family.

In the fall of 2001, Art and Eva moved to Fargo, ND to be closer to their daughter. Art passed away on May 28, 2004. Eva continued to live in Fargo, traveling to Mesa, AZ to spend winter months with two of her daughters. She became a resident of Villa Maria in August 2013.

She is survived by her daughters, Beverly Ummach (Gary), Shirley Grohs (Lloyd), and Debbie Idland; grandchildren, Mike Craik (Dawn), Douglas Craik (Gayle), Jim Craik (Francine), Sharon Steen (Matthew), Carla Deraney, Albert Grohs Jr., Ken Grohs (Cindy), Sheryl Bennes (Lowell), Duane Grohs (Lori), and Lisa Trudeau (Eric); great-grandchildren, Liza Gion (Nate), Stephanie Craik (Shaun), Jerad Craik (Shyla), Nicholas Craik, Jacob Craik (Mallory), Jeffrey Craik (Kayla), Whitney Aakre (Chris), Zachary Steen (Susan), Nathan Steen, Anna Deraney, Ali Deraney, Noah Deraney, Lon Grohs (Amanda), Jeremy Grohs, Justin Grohs (Jill), Amanda Marynik (Adam), Tyler Grohs (Amanda), Dustin SanGrait (Nicole), and Jennifer Grohs; step-great-grandchildren, Amy Rodelius (Erik), Dagny Hilton, and Nixon Hilton; great-great-grandchildren, Skylar Gion, Eva Gion, Landon Ottesen, Cailyn Craik, Riley Craik, John Craik, Wilson Craik, Jameson Craik, Haley Aakre, Nolan Aakre, and Bennett Grohs; sister, Elsie Timboe; special friend Ann Chale; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sisters, Lena, Alice, Irene, Marie, Dora, Margaret, and Sarah; brother, Albert; and sons-in-law, Albert Grohs Sr. and Carl Ummach.

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  1. Mesa AZ
    Heartfelt thoughts and prayers for you all. Your Mom was an amazing woman and a model for us all. We will miss seeing her at cards in Sunland Village in Mesa AZ
    .

    May God provide comfort and peace for all her family.

    Blessings,
    Peggy Tenney

  2. Rapid City South DakotaI miss Grandma Eva and Bev and Shirley.
    I am in my new apt and close to my kids, grandkids and 22 great grandkids.

    I have trouble with ligaments in right knee. No surgery but it gives me a fit.
    Marilyn

  3. Devils Lake ND
    Sorry to be late, but I’m not moving around very fast these days. I also had
    trouble using the computer….. too old &
    out of touch with these “modern” means of
    communication. My deepest sympathy to
    the family. Eva lived a full, meaningful
    life. Her family must have many wonderful
    memories. My mother was born in 1900, &
    died in 1991. The world was quite a different place back in the early 1900’s for
    women, esp. Hope you have kept some sort of history of Art and Eva.

    Anyway” God Bless” you all, and may
    God comfort you in your loss.

  4. Wolverton MnOur sympathy to the entire family. We will always remember Eva as a grand lady. She will indeed be missed at our ‘Charon’ Reunions.

  5. Francis SaskShirley & Lloyd
    We were saddened to hear of your Mom’s
    Passing.
    We are so happy to have met her,such a special lady.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you at
    This sad time.

  6. Fargo ndDebbie and family, sorry to read of the passing of your mother. She lived a long full life. My prayer go out to you all.

  7. Fargo ND
    Eva provided inspiration to many people. Those who loved her those who knew her and those who didn’t know her, but knew of her.

  8. Mesa AZ
    Sorry abou Eva. Wish we could be there Friday to celebrate her life. Please convey condolences to family.


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