July 26, 1923 - June 5, 2022
Eva Sarah Roth was born July 26, 1923, in Anoka, NE to Andrew and Christina Roth. She grew up on the family farm near Butte, NE. Eva lost both parents during her childhood; she and her next older sister were raised by their oldest sister Emma and Emma’s husband. Eva and her sister Ann landed in Scottsbluff, NE where Eva married Floyd Taylor. Two children, Karan and Neal, came of the marriage, which ended in divorce.
Eva worked for several years as a waitress at the Gingham Inn, which Ann and her husband Russell owned. During this time, Eva met Gus Burke, who was just out of the Navy, and the two married on September 26, 1945. Gus adopted Karan and Neal. Gus’ job as an electrician working on large jobs like power plants took the family to Casper, WY, then to Carlsbad, NM. They settled in Greeley, CO where they opened Burke Electric Service. Eva did the office work and helped with bidding on jobs. In 1953 they were blessed with the birth of son Garry. In 1960 they closed the business and bought an RV, living in CA and NV where Gus worked at the Nevada Test Site. After Gus retired in 1975, he and Eva moved to Bullhead City, AZ. In 1982 they relocated to Decatur, TX, and in 1997 they moved to Wray, CO.
Eva was an avid knitter, teaching herself while living in Casper. She knitted many sweaters and afghans, then taught herself to knit lace for which she won several awards at fairs. She left a great legacy of knitted doilies that adorn the homes of family and friends.
Eva was preceded in death by husband Gus Burke; sisters Emma Bender, Ida Holmberg, Ann Watson; brothers Bill Roth, Jake Roth and Pete Roth; son Neal Burke, and great-grandson Drew Harsh.
She is survived by daughter Karan Harsh, son Garry Burke (Penny); grandchildren Tereasa Harsh, Cori Harsh, Tobi de Frates (Ron), J.R. Harsh, Tracey White, and Jana Streelman; great-grandchildren Jon Brophy (Abby), Ben Brophy (Lindsey), Tessa Brophy, Kim Brophy, Kaylynn and Taylor White, Catherine and Matthew de Frates, Andrea Ware, Coryn Feldmann, and Riley and Avalon Streelman; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
A Memorial service will be held at the Wray United Methodist Church, Wednesday, June 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m.
Inurnment will be held in the Grandview Cemetery in Wray, Colorado.
Memorials may be sent to Hillcrest Care Center in Wray, Colorado. Cremation was requested. Schmidt-Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
