Eva Jean Apker

Eva Jean Tanner Apker, 94, passed away on May 24, 2022, at the University Park Care Center in Pueblo. She was born in Wiley, Colorado on Monday, September 26, 1927, to Frank & Eva (Willem) Tanner.

She was the youngest of the children born to her parents and joined four other siblings. She was named in honor of her mother and paternal aunt. Eva Jean was five when her father died after several years from a lingering illness. She attended all twelve years of schooling in Wiley and graduated in 1945. She was class secretary and salutatorian. She was awarded an academic scholarship to Adams State College where she had hoped to become a Home Economics teacher. However, because she felt needed at home to assist her mother in her business and caring for family members, she declined the opportunity.

In 1946, she began employment with Ewing Milling in Wiley and later that year she married Arthur “Bud” Apker from Ordway. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1996. Mr. Apker died in December of 1999.

After her marriage she lived in a number of places following her husband’s work. The finally moved permanently back to his hometown of Ordway and lived there for over 60 years. She was always active and worked as a bookkeeper for Chubbuck Motors for over 40 years retiring in 2016 at the age of 89.

She had many hobbies and interests. She was an avid bridge player, belonging to over four clubs. She loved music and enjoyed singing, playing the piano and during her school years played the Cello. Eva served as an election judge for the Democratic Party for over 45 years. She was a member of Ordway and Olney Springs Senior Citizens, Red Hats Society, Order of the Eastern Star, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary, and Colorado Territorial Families and was a candidate for Silver Queen in 2019.

She was survived by her son, Michael of Pueblo; daughter, Linda (Brian) Reurink; two grandchildren, Joel (Jenna) Reeves of Commerce City; Cassie Reeves of Ordway; two great-grandchildren, Callum and Ainsley Jean Reeves; two nieces and two nephews; sister-in-law and numerous other relatives also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Mary, Dorothy and Frances, brother, Frank and her favorite cousin, Marge.

A memorial service will be on Friday, June 10, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the Ascension Episcopal Church, 18th and Grand in Pueblo. Inurnment will follow and family will receive guests at the reception following in the Parish Hall.

Online condolences may be made at www.PeacockFH.com. Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home & Arkansas Valley Crematory is in charge of arrangements.