Eva Thrailkill

EVA THRAILKILL Eva Thrailkill of Cortez, Colo. passed away on Monday, May 11, 2015. She was born Eva Hunn on October 11, 1929 in Linton, N.D. to Rosina and Thomas Hunn. Eva graduated from Linton High School in 1947 and attended Ellendale Teachers College in North Dakota. Once she graduated from Ellendale, she taught several different grade levels at a small country school, which she enjoyed a great deal. In 1949, Eva married Helge Ojanen of Wing, N.D. and became a housewife and mother. Eva moved to Bismarck, N.D. with her two daughters after Helge tragically died in a car accident. Once in Bismarck, she met and married Leland Thrailkill of Washburn, N.D. They remained in Bismarck for several years and then relocated to Miles City, Mont., Plainview, Tex., and settled in Farmington, N.M. in 1966 where they remained for 20 years. Eva stayed home to take care of her two younger children until they reached school age and then she took a job at Britts Department Store. She worked for Britts for approximately 15 years in the women's and children's departments until she retired. Eva enjoyed working at Britts and made many lasting friendships in Farmington. In 1986 Eva moved to Cortez, Colo. with her husband, where she became a member of the Women's Club and pursued her talent in ceramics for many years. She also enjoyed making beautiful quilts for each of her seven grandchildren. Eva truly enjoyed reading mystery novels, especially mysteries of the southwestern United States. She also loved the desert and often said New Mexico was her favorite state. She spent every morning looking out her windows at the incredible views of the Sleeping Ute, Mesa Verde, and the La Plata mountains and said this is what she wanted to see during her final days with her family. Eva is survived by her husband of 52 years, Leland Thrailkill; three daughters, Barbara Ojanen Biffle (John) of Midland, Tex., Karuna Ojanen of Rochester, Minn., and Tracy Thrailkill of Durango, Colo.; and one son, Jeffrey Thrailkill of Regina, N.M. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Jim Biffle (Natalie), Thomas Biffle (Christine), Sam Biffle, Alison Ojanen-Goldsmith, Benjamin Ojanen-Goldsmith, Sanna (Ojanen-Goldsmith) Mariet (Paul) and Austin Thrailkill; one great-grandson, Ryker Biffle; a brother, Leo Hunn (Bev); and numerous nieces and nephews. Eva was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Rosina Hunn; her brothers, Harold Burkhardt, John Burkhardt; and her sister, Caroline (Burkhardt) Smith. Eva will be deeply missed and will remain in our hearts forever. A private viewing will be held at Ertel Funeral Home. Services will be held in Washburn, N.D. at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 23 at Riverview Cemetery where she will be laid to rest. The family would like to thank Hospice of Montezuma for their attentive and tender care of our mom.