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Eva E. Lapham May 18, 1917 - November 16, 2004 Eva Elizabeth Lapham, a resident of Daytona Beach, Florida for the past six years and a resident of Inverness, Florida for 23 years, died at home on November 16, 2004 after a long illness with her family by her side. She was 87. Eva was born Eva Elizabeth Yungblut in Campden, Ontario Canada to Werner and Margaret Yungblut. She was the youngest of three children and was raised in the Lutheran faith. At the age of six her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Detroit, Michigan. Eva graduated summa cum laude from Redford High School in Detroit and worked as an analyst at R.L. Polk and Co. for three years. She graduated from Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Detroit in 1941 and practiced as a private duty nurse. In 1944, with World War II raging, she answered her country's call and joined the Army Nurse Corps (the fighting ANC). She traveled to the European Theater aboard the Queen Elizabeth to help staff a general field hospital in the Loire area of the French countryside. There, she and her comrades cared for the U.S. and German soldiers brought in from the battlefront. Since she had studied both German and French, she was often called upon to serve as an interpreter. During her Army service she fell in love with Army Captain Wendell Lapham. Wendell was on the front, carving a path for the allies from France to Germany and Austria, while Eva cared for the wounded. Eva and Wendell were married on July 15, 1945 by the mayor of Paris in City Hall on the Champs Elysee, and again the next day by the Army Chaplain, "Just to be sure it's legal." Eva and Wendell lived in Detroit for 30 years and had three daughters, Gwen, Sandra, and Diane. Eva and Wendell's lives together spanned 57 years. Eva was an amazing and creative wife and mother. She was a superb seamstress and tailor who made all of her daughters' clothes from gowns to coats. She painted, knit, wove rugs, crafted quilts, and was an outstanding cook. Her specialties include potato pancakes and a wonderful schnitza pie. Eva was a Girl Scout leader and class mother; she was active in the Lutheran Church. During their retirement, Eva and Wendell traveled extensively to all parts of the world. She is survived by her three daughters, Dr. Gwen, and husband Dr. Stephen Alcorn, Dr. Sandra Lapham and former husband Dr. Gary Simpson, Dr. Diane Lapham; grandchildren, Matthew Alcorn, Andre Alcorn, Cassandra Lapham-Simpson, Courtney Lapham-Simpson, and Ava Lapham; many nieces and nephews; her friend, Thel Marquez; and her caregiver, Juanita Hagar. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell; her sister, Hilda Sheardown; and brother, Wilfred. Web condolences may be sent via the family guestbook at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the careful direction of Baggett and Summers Funeral Home.
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