Eva M Rey

Eva M Rey, 90 died Friday, December 13th , 2024. She was born on August 9th , 1934 to Fred and Elsie Harper in Benton County, Arkansas.

Eva overcame many challenges in her life. She overcame poverty in early childhood by cleaning houses at the age of nine; she saved her money, ran away, and took a bus to Kansas City and worked at JC Penney’s at age 13 in Kansas City. She eventually returned to her mom in Kingman, Kansas where she reconnected with Jay Rey whom she had known since childhood. They married on June 23, 1951 when she was 16. Jay enlisted in the Marine Corps and they moved to California. When Jay was discharged from the Marines in November 1953, they returned to Kingman, Kansas. Debbie was born the next year and Tony followed in 1956. Twelve years later they were surprised by Mark who was born on Tony’s birthday in 1968.

Eva was a force to be reckoned with and will be greatly missed. She was deeply committed to her children like a mother bear to her cubs. If you had an issue with one of her children and she found out about it, she would confront you and let you know she had her children’s back no matter what.

Later in life Eva experienced health issues: losing a kidney, getting breast cancer twice; hip and knee replacement; COVID which caused blood clots in her lungs; five heart stents and an aortic valve replacement. Toward the end of her life, she got cancer in her lungs and bones.

Eva enjoyed watching birds, especially hummingbirds and robins. She and Debbie had a contest every spring to see who could see the first robin. She also loved taking care of her house plants. Her favorite flower was the sunflower. Eva also enjoyed watching the Magnolia Network and the Finding Your Roots television series.

The majority of her work life was working at St. Francis Hospital on the Orthopedic floor as a nurse’s aide. Later she finished her career working in the offices as an insurance clerk.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son Mark Jason Rey, sister Tessie Zerger, and granddaughter, Shannon Reimer.

Eva is survived by her husband, Jay Rey, daughter Debbie (Dennis) Reimer, son Anthony (Tammy) Rey, nine grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 23, 2024 at Central Community Church Chapel, 6100 W Maple, Wichita, KS.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army or Harry Hynes Hospice St. Francis Hospital.