Eva L. Barrett

Eva Barrett (92) passed away peacefully on December 3, 2025 at Teal Creek Senior Living in Edmond, OK. Previously, she resided in Potsdam, NY; Batavia, IL; and Aurora, IL. Eva was born on March 3,1933 in Fennimore, WI, one of eight sisters born to Russell Strahl and Opal McVay Strahl and another brother and sister when her father married Margaret Barrett Strahl after her mother's passing in 1940.
Eva graduated from Elgin High School in June 1951 and married Donald James Barrett of Lacrosse, WI on June 30, 1951. Together they raised three children-Jeff, Scott, and Tammy. She enjoyed being a homemaker while supporting her husband as he built two successful businesses in Aurora, IL. They traveled frequently and especially enjoyed trips to Hawaii, New York City, and Las Vegas. Eva and Don entertained often and hosted many memorable family gatherings in Aurora and Lake Geneva, WI. Following Don's untimely death in 1978, Eva found the strength to build a new life. She continued to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, travel the world, and research Strahl family history. She took memorable trips to England, Ireland, Russia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Alaska. She loved being in nature and taking hikes in the Adirondack Mountains in her later years. Eva was proud of completing the genealogy research required to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was active in DAR chapters in Aurora, IL and Potsdam, NY. She loved creating needlepoint, cross-stitch, and quilting projects for friends and family. She often assisted with costumes for high school and community theater productions with a focus on elaborate and ornate hats. She is remembered fondly in Potsdam as the "hat lady." Nothing made her happier than sharing in her grandchildren's milestones and accomplishments. Her biggest smiles in her later years came when hearing stories and seeing photos of her seven great-grandchildren.
Eva is survived by her children Jeffrey (Jane) Barrett (Yorkville, IL), Bradley Scott (Gretchen) Barrett, (Edmond, OK), and Tammara (James) Madeja (New Smyrna Beach, FL), grandchildren Andrew (Sarah) Barrett (Batavia, IL), Laura Barrett (Yorkville, IL), Megan (Shane) Kimbrell (Edmond, OK), Thomas (Elisabeth) Madeja (Chicago, IL), Steven (Grace) Spangler Madeja (Beacon, NY), Mary (Michael) Landry (Montrose, NY), and great-grandchildren Theo, Donald, Charlotte, Rory, Llewyn, Martin, and Aedan. She is survived by sisters Maxine Lundstrom, Lillian Kramka, and Kathy Hall, brother David Strahl, and many nieces and nephews.
Eva was preceded in death by Donald, her husband of 27 years, her parents Russell and Opal, her stepmother Margaret, and sisters Isabelle, Mildred, Lois, Marilyn, and Darlene.
A memorial service will be held at Healy Chapel, 332 W. Downer Pl., Aurora., IL on Sunday, December 28 at 2:00 pm. Extended family and friends may visit with the family at 1:00 pm prior to the service. Interment will take place at Lincoln Memorial Park in Montgomery, IL on Monday morning at 10:00 am.
Eva's family would like to thank CompleteOK and the staff at Teal Creek Senior Living for their constant care and loving attention throughout their mother's final years.
Donations may be made to Genesis Community Church, 1300 S. Broadway Rd., Montgomery, IL 60538.