Eva Thompson, age 61, of Lake View, IA, passed away suddenly on Monday, January 25, 2021, at Horn Memorial Hospital in Ida Grove, IA.
   Eva Norene Klenk, daughter of Vernon and Shirley (Stepanek) Klenk, was born on April 22, 1959, in Carroll, Iowa. She grew up in the nearby town of Breda, where she attended the Wheatland Presbyterian Church. There, she was baptized and confirmed and grew in her faith from an early age. Eva also valued her education and graduated from Carroll High School with the class of 1977. She was an accomplished athlete, having been active in track, volleyball, and basketball. She went on to study at the University of Northern Iowa on a basketball scholarship and later attended Kirkwood Community College as well.
   Eva married the love of her life, Bryan Thompson, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Lake View, on May 11, 1991. The couple made their home in Lake View, and went on to raise their four children there; Andrea, Rachel, Taylor, and Nichole. Eva and Bryan were also foster parents and opened their home and hearts to many kids over the years.
   Being a mother was Eva's favorite "job," though she filled various other positions as well. She worked as an educational assistant for WLVA schools, where she also helped with youth sports. In more recent years, Eva was known for her in-home daycare, G-Ma’s Tinker Tots. Every child she cared for quickly became like family, and she loved them like her own.
   Eva had also taken on an active role in her grandchildren's lives. She was a mentor and role model for them, but also loved spoiling them with shopping trips, golf cart rides, and banana splits for breakfast. She enjoyed cheering them on at their school events and being involved with her granddaughters' 4-H program. Her grandchildren were truly her source of pride and joy, and she treasured her time spent with them.
   Over the years, Eva enjoyed many different hobbies and activities. She was involved in Boy Scouts as Taylor was growing up, and often volunteered her time for youth sports. Eva was on the Pier 25 Committee in Lake View that was established to help beautify the town and played a central role in the recent updates to Speaker Park. She enjoyed bicycling with Bryan along the Sauk Trail and around the lake, as well as riding their motorcycles together. She loved animals, essential oils, iced tea, and country music.
   Eva was a beautiful person, inside and out. She lived her life with conviction-- led by faith and fueled by her love of family. She had a fearless spirit that radiated positivity, and a gentle strength that will continue on as her legacy.
   Left behind to cherish her memory include her husband, Bryan Thompson of Lake View, IA; children: Andrea (Jeremiah) Koch of Schaller, IA, Taylor (Sarah) Thompson of Sac City, IA, and Nichole (Benjamin) Riffey of Nevada, IA; son-in-law John Glissmann; grandchildren: Ella Bussell and Lyric Bussell, Austin Thompson, Evin Wolff, Marleigh Banks, Zaylynn Lawler, Parker, Hayden, and Connor Glissmann, Piper and Marina Thompson, Everett and Arlo Riffey; siblings: Verlan (Claudia) Klenk, Michael (Rachel) Klenk, Teresa McFarlane, Laina Shuman, Coreena Klenk, and DeeDee (Robert) Auen; many nieces, nephews, other extended family members, and friends.
   Eva was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon Klenk and Shirley (Richard) Bradwell; daughter Rachel (Thompson) Glissmann; parents-in-law Mervin and Harriet Thompson; infant brother John Robert Klenk; and brother-in-law Paul Shuman.

   The family will be directing memorial donations in Eva’s memory to Camp Courageous in Monticello, IA.