A very special and unique lady, Santa Eve Whitmer Hrubes, left this earth on July 20, 2005 after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Santa was born on July 13, 1925 in Glendive, Montana, the 11th child of Samuel and Clara (Hulvey) Whitmer. She attended grade school in Bloomfield, Montana, graduated from Dawson County High School in Glendive, then graduated from the Billings Business College. That summer she worked as a secretary. She then accepted a position as the commercial teacher in the Circle High School. She taught there for one year. She faithfully wrote to and waited for the love of her life, John T. Hrubes, while he fought overseas in World War II. After he returned home they were united in marriage on November 3, 1947 in Glendive. They purchased a farm near Bloomfield and lived there until 1998. Their four children grew up on the farm.
Santa was known for her excellent cooking and baking ability. Nobody went away from her house hungry. Her grandchildren loved helping her make donuts, cupcakes and candy. Besides feeding people, she loved gardening and quilting. Her storage room was always full of canned goods for the winter from her large garden. She made a special quilt for each of her 18 grandchildren.
She was very active in her church and loved the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Santa is preceded in death by her parents; seven brothers, McKinley, Boone, Tom, Ted, Kermit, Derby and Ras; and one sister, Sylvia Nelson.
Santa is survived by her husband, John, of Miles City; three sons, Arlan and his wife Terry of Miles City, Dave and his wife Jan of Richey, and Brad and his wife Jerri of Miles City; one daughter, Leta Clayton and her husband Dwight of Glendive; her brother, Jeff Whitmer and his wife Dixie of Bloomfield, Montana; her sister, Roxie Karls of Billings; sisters-in-law, Marilee Whitmer of Miles City and Montana Whitmer of Colorado; 18 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

We know she is where she wants to be, but we will miss her strong testimony, her knowledge, her advice, and her one of a kind personality.