Eva Hildegard McClellan

Eva Hildegard McClellan: A Life of Family, Faith, and Fabric

Eva Hildegard McClellan, beloved daughter, wife, sister, mother, grandma, and great grandma, peacefully returned to heaven on April 24, 2026, at the age of 91. Born September 16, 1934, to Georg Walter Goeckeritz and Hildegard Fischer Goeckeritz in Mitteldorf, Germany, she had a happy childhood as the oldest of 5 children. She learned to work hard helping with laundry, tending the garden and gathering dandelions for the rabbits to eat. During and after WWII, food was scarce. She watched her mother ask everyone at church if they had something to eat at home and if they didn't, they were invited back to the Goeckeritz home. As a child, she and her brother thought about their own portions getting smaller, but they always felt good after sharing what they had. Eva carried this lesson with her always willing to share her time and talents to help all around her.

The war ended and Neuwürschnitz, the village where her family lived, was now under Russian rule. She attended school through Grade 8 and was chosen for her high grades to continue to higher education. Because she would be required to join the Freie Deutsche Jugend (FDJ), the communist youth organization, she declined and needed to choose a trade. She loved beautiful clothing, so she chose to train as a seamstress. At age 21, to escape communism, she was the first of her family members to emigrate to America. She settled in the Salt Lake Area and quickly started working to learn English. She set up an apartment for the rest of her family when they arrived the next year.

In December of 1957, she married Charles McClellan (Mac) in the Salt Lake Temple. They eventually settled in San Jose, California, and over the next 69 years they welcomed nine children, 38 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren into their family. Eva was truly the heart of their home, preparing meals, baking, getting children to church and attending school performances and soccer games. She shared her homemade jam, cookies or salsa with neighbors and friends. Together, Eva and Mac taught their family the value of hard work and loving others.

Baptized by her father in the middle of the night in a neighbor's cistern, Eva remained a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout her life, during which she served in many callings. She especially loved teaching children, serving in the Oakland temple and serving as Homemaking and Humanitarian leader. She and Mac were able to return to her homeland to serve a mission in Prenzlau, Germany from 2011 - 2012. 

Eva loved fabric and the possibilities for creating each piece represented. She once purchased fabric in West Berlin and snuck it back into the east wrapped around her body under her clothes. She made two beautiful skirts from that fabric. Sitting at her sewing machine with the needle stitching away, creating matching dresses for her daughters, baby outfits, prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses and costumes-this was her happy place. Eva made hundreds of blankets and quilts for hospitals and children's organizations including the Advocacy Center. Each one was carefully crafted-hemmed or tied with yarn, and made with a purpose: to offer warmth, comfort, and a sense of security to children in crisis.

When Eva and Mac moved to Bountiful due to the challenges of aging, one last completed blanket was found. The family received these kind words after the blanket was delivered to the Advocacy Center:"It was beautiful-fully hemmed and lovingly tied all over with yarn. …Eva used to say, 'I may not be able to walk, but I can sure sew.' Even as her body slowed down, her spirit and her hands stayed busy. She would sit at her sewing machine and create beauty, one stitch at a time. And it wasn't just blankets-Eva worked on many projects for charity. She was determined to keep giving, however she could."

We are grateful for her life worn out in loving service.

We find comfort in thoughts of her joyous reunion with her many family members who preceded her in death including her parents, her brothers, Raimund and Klaus Goeckeritz, and two precious grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband, Charles A. McClellan; her sisters Rosemarie Groebs (Reiner) and Annette Holbrook (Jeff); and her children and spouses Scott McClellan (Cathy), Annette Turner (Bobby), Steven McClellan (Loretta), Lisa Meadows, Kristine Gunner (Steve), David McClellan (Marion), Barbara Van Dyke (Russell), Mark McClellan (Kylee), Eric McClellan (Stephanie); 36 treasured grandchildren and 31 much loved great-grandchildren.

We are full of gratitude for the Creekside Senior Living staff and caregivers and A+ hospice caregivers and the loving care they provided for our dear mother these past two years.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah.

Services will be streamed live on YouTube

In lieu of flowers, please honor Eva's memory by reaching out to neighbors and being kinder to others.