Eva Oeltjen, 70, of Plattsburg, MO passed away March 20, 2026 surrounded by loved ones after a short battle with cancer.
Eva was born on January 11, 1956 to Benjamin and Daisy (Rice) Stafford in Buchanan County, MO. She was the youngest and only girl of six siblings. Eva grew up in Gower along with her best friend, Jeannie Sue McClain Stanton and her side kick, Bonnie (Lyons) Boatwright.
On July 9, 1972 she was united in marriage to her best friend, Robert “Bob” Smith and settled in Edgerton where they started their family. They had three children.
Eva worked mainly in healthcare and at small town diners. She enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her spoiled grand cat, Batman “Batsy.” Eva loved God, crosswords, music, and watching Law and Order and Friends.
Family she joined in Heaven with God: her parents, her husband Robert Smith, infant son, Robert Thomas Smith; siblings, Gene (Andy) Stafford and Joe Stafford; maternal and paternal grandparents; and one great-grandbaby born sleeping.
Eva is survived by her daughters, Mary (Adam) Hawkins and Bobbi (Dwayne) Oeltjen; grandchildren, Lacy (Josh) Neeley, Jessica (Kyle) Reeves, Stormie (Aaron) Brown, Levi (Veronica) Buckley; great-grandchildren, Quintin, Parker, Xander, Rylee, Piper, Aria, Jackie, Angelina and Weston; brothers, Bobby (Debbie) Stafford, Alan (Shirley) Stafford and Harvey Rice; and a butt ton of nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
