Eva Vera (Thomas) Sanford, age 88, a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2023, in Watford City.

Eva was born on August 17, 1935, in Watford City, ND to George O. Thomas, Sr. and Lilly Griebel Thomas as the second youngest in a family of 13 children.

Eva attended high school in Watford City and graduated in 1953. She married LeRoy Sanford on July 9, 1953. She and LeRoy were blessed with 4 children. They divorced in 1963. Her proudest accomplishment was raising her children and seeing them all graduate from high school and college. She often bragged that all of her kids were State Champions. Eva later married Garth Johnson (May 1990-divorced 2000) and enjoyed traveling to every state in the U.S. and camping.

Eva worked at Piggly Wiggly/Jack & Jill for over 28 years. She loved to dance and often enjoyed an evening of dancing at the American Legion Club following a long week of work. Eva’s best friend was Henry Skjelvik, and some of her most enjoyable years were those she spent as a Real Estate Salesperson selling real estate with Henry.

Eva’s house was spotless. She had the cleanest windows and driveway in town. She loved to plant moss roses, and enjoyed seeing her tiger lilies bloom each year. She also loved to fuss over her lawn, and wasn’t bashful about re-seeding parts of it every year if it wasn’t up to her standards. She was the worst enemy a dandelion could ever have. She especially enjoyed the visits of neighbors stopping by to see her.

Eva loved to read, especially James Patterson books, and never had an overdue book at the library. She often times would use a pencil to write her initials in the back of the book so she could tell if she’d read it or not. (But don’t tell anyone!)

Eva always had an EXTRA special place in her heart for her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and enjoyed watching them participate in sports. Her Family was truly her pride and joy in life. She loved to send big musical birthday cards to her grandchildren and great grandchildren - even if they required extra postage - and usually followed up with a call on their special day.
She Loved all visits from the Little Ones and the candy dish was always full.

For many many years, Eva commonly made pancakes for all who stopped by to visit on Sunday mornings, and enjoyed watching “those miserable Vikings” on Sunday afternoons. In her later years she reserved early Sunday mornings for tuning in to her favorite evangelists, David Jeremiah, and Dr. Charles Stanley. Her strong faith in God gives us all peace.

Eva is survived by her son, Duane Sanford of Watford City, her son, Ken (Carol) of Watford City, her son, Ron (Janet) of New Town, and her daughter, Linda Melland and her husband Gary of Watford City. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren; Amy(Nick)Polivka, Melony(James)Douglas, Rory(Lisa)Sanford, Brad(Amber) Sanford, Kayla(Peter) Lardakis, Kevin Sanford, Ross(Sarah) Melland, and Shawn(Savana)Melland, and 21 great grandchildren; Trey, Camden, Blake, and Weston Polivka, Zooey Douglas, Kooper, Tucker, and Croy Sanford; Cody, Jack, and Carson Sanford, Sia and William Lardakis, Sonny Sanford; Luke, Reece, and Olivia Melland, Lauren, Colt, Raigen and Rush Melland. One Great-Great Grandson Jaxson Polivka (Trey).

She is survived by one sister Barb Jorgenson of Watford City, and numerous nieces and nephews (42 on Thomas side “by Our count at last gathering”).

Eva was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters; Florence Johnson, Hazel Johnson, Clara Johnson, Lillian Knight, Vivian Beckman, and Esther Stewart; her brothers; George O. Thomas, Jr., Floyd Thomas, Marvin Thomas, Roy Thomas, and Ralph Thomas; and Grandson’s spouse, Stephanie Sanford.

Thank You