Eva Mercer

Eva Mercer, 74, of Des Moines passed away from a heart ailment on June 19. Her family will receive visitors on Thursday June 24, 2010 at Hamilton's Southtown Funeral Home from 5-7 PM.

Eva will be remembered by her family and friends as a devoted mother and grandmother and an avid sports fan. She enjoyed following the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. But, Eva was most passionate about the accomplishments of her grandchildren. She made every effort to attend all of their activities and when she couldn't make it, she always made sure to get a report and offer encouragement.

Born Eva Louise Byrum, she was a lifelong Des Moines resident and attended Roosevelt High School. Eva grew up near Drake University where her parents were boosters of the Drake athletic program and many of the Drake athletes were “part of her family”. She loved to recount stories of her youth in Des Moines and visits to Clear Lake.

She and her late husband, Bob Mercer, put down roots on the south side and Eva spent more than 30 years managing the business side of Bob's construction company while raising their four children. Eva and Bob never missed one of their kids' activities. Family was always first priority.

In recent years, Eva stayed busy by exercising at the South Suburban YMCA, being an avid reader and keeping up with current events in addition to being a fixture at ball games, dance recitals, and any other event involving her grandkids.

Eva is survived by her four children, daughters Alice (Larry) Benge of Blakesburg and Pam Frederick of Houston, Texas, sons Ted (Michelle) of Des Moines and Arnie (Tracy) of Carlisle, her sister Jean (Newt) Bowers of West Des Moines and her eight grandchildren Chris Benge, Ross Frederick, Carter Frederick, Meaghan Mercer, Kevin Mercer, Max Mercer, Payton Mercer and Paige Mercer.

Eva was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, her parents Bob and Lillian Byrum and her grandson Robert Benge.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the South Suburban YMCA or Ronald McDonald House.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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