Eva Elizabeth Ditsch, 94, passed away Monday, January 9, 2023 at the Hemingford Community Care Center where they gave her LOVING CARE and lots of love with her family at her side.
She was born on February 20, 1928 to Peter L. and Ithyl M. (Billingsley) Madden in Gillette, Wyoming. She graduated on May 16, 1946 at Garden County High School in Oshkosh and attended 1 year of nursing school where she met Robert Leon Ditsch. Robert and Eva married on August 2, 1947 in Oshkosh.
Robert and Eva had 10 children, Kathy, William, Mary, Robert, Pete, Barbara, Tom, Elizabeth, Edward and Becky. Through the years they were blessed with many grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Eva also called “Granny” by many, enjoyed spending time with all of them.
Eva and Robert lived most of their lives together in Alliance. She and Bob enjoyed their cabin and fishing at Lake McConaughy. She worked at the Alliance Country Club for over 20 years. She was a homemaker and loved gardening. She sold cream in the 60’s and butchered chickens for local farmers and made sure everyone helped and learned that trade. Eva also loved canning.
In 1994 she moved to Ogallala where she lived for over 20 years and worked at the local fabric shop off and on. She was very active in the Catholic Church both in Alliance and Ogallala where she enjoyed teaching the children. One of her favorite pastimes was rendezvousing with her son Robert and daughter Barbara. Eva was no stranger to anyone and welcomed everyone in with open arms. She enjoyed playing cards and gambling. She also had a love for watching sports like baseball and football, especially the Huskers on Saturdays. She loved making handmade quilts, blankets and other things for family and friends. In the summer you could catch her barefoot in the garden with a glass of iced tea. She was a very strong independent woman and worked very hard. She is now reunited in heaven with her Lord and loved ones.
She is survived by her children, Kathy Rau of Jacksonville, FL, Mary (Mike) Sherlock of Ogallala, Pete (Carol) Ditsch of Alliance, Barbara Rau of Alliance and Elizabeth (Tim) Krebs of Alliance; 18 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Tom Broeder of Alliance, her daughter-in-law, Sharon Ditsch of Chappell, her sister-in-law, B.J. Madden of Scottsbluff, and many other extended family members. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sons, William, Robert Jr., Tom and Ed, her daughter, Becky Broeder, her granddaughter, Trista Ditsch, 1 brother and 2 sisters.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 16, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Rosary Catholic Church. The rosary will be recited prior to the mass at 9:15 a.m. at the church. Father Matt Koperski will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Bates-Gould Chapel on Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Memorials may be given to St. Joseph’s Indian School at P.O. Box 326, Chamberlain, SD, 57326, or by visiting www.stjo.org.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.