Eva Lynn Wilson

Eva Lynn Wilson returned home to heaven surrounded by her family on Sunday, September 22, 2024 after a brief, but brave battle with cancer. Eva was born on June 14, 1955 to her loving parents Richard “Dick” and Holly “Gene” Bowden. She was a beloved grandmother, affectionately known as “Gaga”, mother, wife, sister, and friend and will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.

Eva grew up in Cardston, Alberta, Canada as the oldest of four siblings. She loved going camping all summer long and spending time at Waterton National Park with her parents and siblings. As a family they would hang out in the trailer, go hiking, swimming and enjoy spending quality time together. She would later pass on her love of spending time outdoors to her kids and grandkids. 

After graduating high school, she left her beloved Canadian home and moved to the United States to attend Ricks College. It was there, prior to graduating with her Associate’s Degree, that she met the love of her life, Rex Wilson. They would go on to have a long-distance relationship for a time as she left Ricks and went to Brigham Young University where she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education while Rex served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. 

Rex and Eva were sealed on August 27, 1977 in the Cardston, Alberta Temple. Together, they moved around a bit before settling in Molalla, Oregon. They had four kids together and made many loving and fun memories with them.

Eva was a mother in every sense of the word. She loved her four kids fiercely and made sure they knew it. She made every holiday magical and special for her family, especially Christmas. She spent countless hours making cookies and hanging decorations everywhere in their home. She would spend the months leading up to Christmas thinking about what gift would make all of them feel special and loved. She was not only her children’s mother but a mom to all the friends that gathered at her home. 

She spent so many hours volunteering for band to make sure not only her children’s uniforms fit correctly but everyone in band looked proper. She was the go-to chaperone for all the competitions and cheered everyone on at every performance. She also spent many hours decorating and making sure the choir concert looked magical for all the choir members including her own children. Eva never missed a school event that her children were involved in; from concerts, to football games, plays, and wrestling matches.

Eva’s greatest joy was her grandkids, who lovingly called her “Gaga”. She looked forward with great anticipation to be able to be a grandmother and when that time finally came for her, she did not take it for granted. She made sure that each kid felt so much love and showered them with attention every time she could be in their presence. She would visit as often as possible, and make memories going camping, reading stories and playing with them. She would always answer every phone call and facetime and talk for hours about anything and nothing at all.

Eva faithfully served in her many callings for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She especially cherished the time she spent serving the youth of the church in many capacities, including her time as Young Women’s President, Seminary Teacher, Girls Camp Leader, and Primary President.

We will all miss her love, sweet smile, never ending sense of humor, cute chuckle, and the time she spent making everyone around her feel loved and cared for. We will always cherish the memories made and the small and simple things that she made fun and magical for us all.

Eva was preceded in death by her father Richard “Dick” Bowden and mother Holly “Gene” Bowden. She is survived by her husband Rex Wilson, children: Marie (Seth) Pardon, Sarah Wilson, Richard Wilson, Katie (Daniel) Sebrands; her siblings: Barbara (Garth) Jensen, Wayne Bowden, Suzanne (Vern) Simmons and her 3 beloved grandchildren Oakley, Stephen, and Oliver.

A graveside service will be held Tuesday October 1, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Larkin Sunset Gardens located at 1950 E Dimple Dell Road (10600 S), Sandy, Utah. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 12:30-2:00 pm at the same location.

A memorial service will beheld Friday October 4, 2024, at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 974 West Main Street, Molalla, Oregon 97038.

Those wishing to view the COMPLETED service via Zoom can click "Watch Service" or follow the link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/VD-ZsCu_jtYh3lGbIoYsD07p_bJnN4Zs8GXAuoi4Iv-VlhvirezvALRuyEcLZx62.9n-6OEFYOvsLLFez?startTime=1727813257000