Evelyn G. “Eva” Hoyt died peacefully on July 21, 2013 at Burnett Medical Center Continuing Care Center, Burnett County, Wis.
She was born in Vienna, Austria, on March 9, 1921 to Karl and Stephanie Landeis, She attended schools in Vienna and London. Her father died when she was young.
Eva and her mother emigrated to the United States in 1939-40. In 1943, Eva became a naturalized U.S. citizen and was married in Hollywood, Calif., to John E. Wengraf, a stage and screen actor who also emigrated from Vienna.
They moved to Santa Barbara in 1960. After her divorce from Wengraf, she went to work as a dental receptionist for Dr. Karl Hawes, D.D.S.
In October 1973, Eva married Robert Ingle Hoyt, AIA. She worked full time as his partner and office manager until his death in 1985. Eva lived in Santa Barbara until 2007, when she moved to Webster, Wis., to live with her daughter and son-in-law.
Eva was a dedicated wife, mother, helpmate and homemaker. She was a member of the “Greatest Generation,” who loved America and California. She was a “liberated woman” long before that term was invented. Eva volunteered locally with “hippotherapy,” helping challenged children horseback ride, and she was a docent at the Courthouse.
She and Robert were La Cumbre Country Club members, where he played golf and they both played tennis, which she kept up until she was 86 years old.
In earlier years, Eva played the piano, sewed, drew, and painted. She enjoyed doing her own home repairs and maintenance, including house painting and gardening.
She loved animals and always had cats as pets. She valued her friendships and was a loyal, caring friend.
Eva is survived by her daughter, Harriet Rice, and son-in-law, Arne Ardell of Webster, Wisconsin; stepsons William Clason Hoyt (Lisa) of Wyoming, and Dibblee Hoyt of California; stepdaughter Antonia Hoyt of Utah; step granddaughter Amanda Hoyt of Wyoming, and cousins; Gerda Lydon (Phil) of California, Marian Kretsch of Connecticut, and Lily Kautsky of Missouri.
A life celebration and scattering of her ashes in the Santa Barbara Channel are being arranged for a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Eva Hoyt’s name to the Humane Society of Burnett County, 7347 Midtown Rd., Siren,
WI 54872.
