Obituary: Eva Harrison

Eva Harrison 1917 ~ 2006 ROOSEVELT - Eva Wanda Hallett Harrison, 88, passed away Friday, April 14, 2006 in Roosevelt. She was born October 2, 1917 to Terry Burns and Ruby Irene Hallett in the Hallett Store on Lake Fork, now Ioka. She married Everett L. Harrison September 22, 1941 in Reno, Nevada. He died December 11, 1970. She has one daughter, Patricia (Alfred) Stringham of Roosevelt. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Terry Burns Harrison; husband, Everett; sister, Norma Bowen; and a brother, Lloyd Hallett. Eva grew up around the Ft. Duchesne-Gusher area. One of their homes was near the original Won Sing Store at Ft. Duchesne. Her father then built a cabin on the Uintah River closer to the Fort. Eva's mother worked at the government Hospital in Ft. Duchesne for many years. She delivered many Indian children. Her father worked in the Gilsonite mines, raised sheep and farmed. The children attended school at Ft. Duchesne in what was to later become the jail. Eva had many cherished friends among the Ute people she grew up with on the Reservation. Eva was a great history buff of the Uintah Basin and used to say that she was there when a lot of the history was happening so she knew what she was talking about! She loved antiques of the pioneer era and was a very knowledgeable collector. She was a recognized authority on Ute Indian history and customs. For many years she and her husband traveled the western states collecting rocks which Everett made into jewelry. She had a collection of antique bottles she gathered from old dumps throughout the west. Eva and Everett opened Grants Market in 1955, which later became Valley Market in the 1960's. After Everett's death in 1970 she continued to operate it many years by herself. The store was open seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. While operating the store she helped many less fortunate with money and food. She was a friend to all and loved to tell stories about the "old days." Her grandchildren, LeAnn (George) Rocchi, Everett (Raelyn) Stringham, Terry (Deborah) Stringham and Jeffrey Stringham; and great-grand-children were very special to her and she made every one of them feel extra special. She was also fond of some very special nieces and nephews and their children. They will miss her. She was proud of her pioneer heritage and having been raised on the Reservation. Family services will be held at a later date. Funeral directors, Hullinger Mortuary www.hullingermortuary.com