Longtime Coeur d’Alene resident, Eva Maria Deitz Moyes, went peacefully to her Heavenly Father on March 25, 2010. She had just turned 95 this year. A first generation American, she was born Jan. 25, 1915, in Belfield, N.D., to German immigrants Mathias and Catherine (Bolbaum) Obrigawich.

She was the youngest of 11 children. Eva was the last surviving child. A stalwart, hardworking family, her parents homesteaded in North Dakota in 1898. Like many farm children, Eva attended a one-room school house, and graduated from Belfield High School. She spoke of making blood sausage, milking the cows and selling the cream, butchering chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks.

Eva married David E. Deitz on Sept. 7, 1933, in Belfield, N.D. Together they had six children. They moved to Coeur d’Alene in 1942. Eva regaled her children with tales of barn dances, thrashing crews and home parties. All of her family were talented in music and they could play musical instruments by “ear.”

Eva had a deep love and respect for her parents. Every two years she made the journey to North Dakota to see her family until her mother’s death in 1959, and then she continued her visits to see her siblings. Not only was she a devoted mother and homemaker, she also worked in a variety of jobs over the years. Eva and David were co-owners with his parents, Roy and Ruth Deitz, of the Coeur d’Alene Livestock Yards. She was later employed at the Coeur d’Alene Flower Shop, Mid Town Variety, Tree Nursery, YJ Packing Co., North Idaho Junior College, St. Maries Lodge, Glacier National Park and Clair Pendar. After 13 years with Clair Pendar she retired to her gardening and needlework.

Eva and Dee Moyes were married June 15, 1983, at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Dee died on Nov. 12, 1987. Eva took pleasure traveling the Northwest with the Rambling Rovers. She was a devout member of the Catholic faith and attended St. Thomas Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Ladies Auxiliary at the church. Eva enjoyed her years at Bestland Retirement Center with the staff and her many friends, especially dancing in her little red shoes. She continued her love of gardening there by caring for her own, and other residents’ flowers. The family wishes to thank Bestland and Pinewood for their loving care for our mother.

Eva is survived by her sons, Lee (Shirley) Deitz and David (Gail) Deitz, both of Coeur d’Alene; daughters, Bonnie (Gerald) Olsen of Townsend, Mont., Charmaine (Don) Kolb of Spokane, Wash., and Becky Ellis of Anaconda, Mont.; and 22 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Jerry (Karen) Deitz.

A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2010, at Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene Chapel. The funeral memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 15, 2010, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene.

The family prefers memorial donations to NSDA — No One Should Die Alone, or a charity of your choice. Please visit Eva’s memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.