Eva Dorothy Smathers , 80, Minot, died Tuesday, May 6, 2014 in a Minot Nursing Home.

Eva was born April 19, 1934 at Minot, North Dakota the daughter of Joseph and Emelia (Thomas) Bertsch. She was raised and educated in Minot and graduated from St. Leo's High School in 1952. During her younger years she was employed as a secretary to Monsignor Hogan at St Leo's Catholic Church and later employed at First National Bank and Peter Kewitt Construction as a secretary.

Eva was united in marriage to Rondo "Ron" Smathers on May 16, 1966 in Minot. They moved to Milbrae, California, where Ron was employed. They later lived in New York and Omaha, Nebraska. They retired to Incline Village, NV and later lived in Scottsdale, AZ. They returned to Minot in 1997. Ron died in 2008.

Eva was an accomplished musician, playing the trumpet in an orchestra with her sister, Alvina during their younger years. She was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot and the local Musicians Union #656.

Her loving family includes, stepchildren, Randy Smathers, Texas and Sharon Smathers, California; nieces, Sheryl Loveland, Shelley Brown, Holly Bartsch, Lynda Forbes, Sandy Haugen, Sheila Kerzman, Lisa Voeller and Shirley Volk; nephews, Bruce Damm, Brian Damm, Brad Damm, Greg Kerzman, Keith Kerzman, Ken Kerzman, Jeff Kerzman, Cary Loveland and Jerry Iverson.

Eva was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Ron, sisters, Leona Damm Burns, Theresa Iverson, Adeline Kerzman, Viola Kerzman Kruckenberg and Alvina Loveland, niece Lori Smith and nephew Jim Iverson.

Mass of Christian Burial : Friday, May 9, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in Trinity Homes Chapel, Minot.
Vigil Prayer Service: Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Interment : Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Visitation: Thursday, May 8, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home.