Evelyn Rivas

Evelyn Rivas, 81, of Yuba passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 at Munson Hospice House with her daughter at her side. Evelyn was born on November 17, 1935 in Yuba, MI. She grew up in Yuba with her brother David, Thomas, Pauline and Kathleen. She attended the Yuba School and she then went on to graduate high school at Haskell Indian School in Kansas. Her nursing degree was obtained at the Muskegon School of Nursing. It was there that she was the first Native American to attend and graduate from there. She worked as a Registered Nurse in Detroit, Chicago, Lansing and also in Traverse City. She had worked in all areas of the hospital. In her later years she worked primarily in the Pediatric Department at Munson Medical Center. After her retirement she joined a medical team to provide medical aid to parts of Bolivia in South America. She was a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. She was involved with the Elder’s Advisory Council. There she enjoyed traveling with the group to many places. She was elected to represent the Elder’s from this area at the MIEA Conference’s around the country. She participated with the Yuba Women’s Club and the Yuba Historical Society. She attended the East Bay Calvary Church and the Kewadin Indian Mission Church. She enjoyed maintaining her lovely older home that was the former Post Office of Yuba. She enjoyed being outdoors and being with family and friends. Her greatest joy came from her children and grandson Andrew. Surviving Evelyn are her children, Sheila (Gerald) Schopieray, Roland (fiancé Alyce Clark) Rivas; grandson Andrew Schopieray; sisters Pauline (Dale) Barber, Kathleen (James) Fox and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Evelyn is preceded in death by her late parents Arthur W. and Elizabeth Hill, Brothers David Hill, Thomas Hill, late husband’s William Zoltan and Alfredo Rivas Jr. and niece Mary Elizabeth Fox. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 19 from 2-5pm at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, February 20, at the East Bay Calvary Church 2225 Hammond Road E., Traverse City at 11am. She will be laid to rest at the Yuba Cemetery in the spring. Memorial contributions may be directed to East Bay Calvary Church. Kindly share thoughts and memories with Evelyn’s family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

Evelyn Rivas

November 17, 1935 - February 14, 2017