Eila "Jinks" Mae Vachal, 95
Eila Mae was born to Amelia and Hilbert Jennings in Minot, North Dakota on May 29, 1927, joining brother Ted. She peacefully went to heaven to celebrate Christmas with husband Harold on Dec. 3, 2022 at Expressions Memory Care (Prestige Assisted Living).
Jinks attended schools in Minot, and she married Harold Vachal when he returned from World War II. Soon they soon moved to Somers, and daughter Susan and son Dan were welcomed into the family. They built their house on Flathead Lake in 1960, where they entertained countless family and friends. She got great joy in watching the kids on the beach, and even as recently as last summer always wanted to be sure the beach was being used.
Jinks was a member of Eidsvold Lutheran Church for over 60 years. Even when her mind was failing her, she prayed for us every day, and her church was a primary concern. She was part of the prayer group and helped make hundreds of quilts for Lutheran World Relief. She was often behind the scenes in the kitchen. If a family had a death or serious illness, she would show up with a meal, usually soup. Jinks had a very special gift to sit with friends in their last days. All the kids – of any age - knew the cookie jar would be full, and she was known for her Christmas bread. She also made Christmas cookies every year with three generations of kids, and the granddaughters carry on that tradition today.
Although Mom missed her house on the lake, she loved her family at Expressions. We are forever thankful that she was so blessed by her “helpers” there who cared for her so lovingly. And we couldn’t have asked for more special women in her final days than her Hestia Hospice team.
Jinks was preceded in death by her parents and brother. Her beloved husband Harold’s funeral was on what would have been their 72nd anniversary, Sept. 28, 2019.
She is survived by daughter Suzi (Jack) Watteyne; son Dan (Janice) Vachal; grandchildren Cody (Renee) Jones, Danna (Claudio) Gonzales, Amy (Chad) Wambach and JoeE (Christina) Vachal; and great-grandchildren Clara and Joel Jones, Bryton and Kaden Wambach, Josiah and Anaiah Gonzales, Jasper and Jenavieve Vachal, and Brandi Vachal. She is also survived by sister-in-law Doris Seney; nieces Sherry, JoAnn, Kathi and Karen; sister-in-law Jenny; nephew Paul; nieces Gail and Diane, and many “honorary kids.”
Services will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11 at Eidsvold Lutheran Church with Pastor Scott Thompson. Friends are encouraged to visit our website at www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolences for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.