Eva Breakfield

Eva Melzena Breakfield, daughter of Humbolt and Mary Elizabeth (Hill) Murrell, was born in Brownfield, Missouri on November 23, 1913. Melzena grew up in Brownfield and Falcon, Missouri, and lived near Carson, Iowa for a short time. She attended Simpson School in Brownfield and then one year at Carson where she completed the 8th grade. Melzena returned to Brownfield and worked for area families as a care giver. On October 11, 1937, Melzena and William Jess Breakfield were married and made their home near Brownfield where they farmed.
In 1943, Melzena and Jess moved near Carson, Iowa where Jess farmed. Their marriage was blessed with three children, Leland "Victor", Merle, and Donna. Melzena enjoyed her role as a homemaker, mother and wife. She and Jess had been married 33 years when Jess died on May 26, 1970. Melzena continued to live at their home near Carson and she worked as a clerk at the grocery store on Broadway in Carson for 23 years. She then began work as an in-home caregiver and continued working for 15 years. Melzena retired in 1982.
Melzena was a member of the Carson Presbyterian Church and BW Club. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and enjoyed quilting. In September of 2003, Melzena's health forced her to move from her home to the Oakland Manor Care Center in Oakland, Iowa. Melzena died at the Jennie Edmundson Memorial Hospital in Council Bluffs, IA on October 5, 2003, having attained the age of 89 years, 10 months, and 12 days.
Melzena was preceded in death by her parents; husband William "Jess"; brothers Earl Murrell and Coleman Murrell; sister Laverne Cansler; half brothers Freeman, Epheus, Alfred, Oscar, Bud, Columbus and Arthur Murrell, and Ernie, Clint, and Tom Parham; half-sisters Evy Lillard, Annie Elam, and Laura Core.
Melzena is survived by her sons Victor Breakfield, and Merle Breakfield and his wife Jeanine; daughter Donna Bowen and her husband Gary all of Carson, IA; brother Humbolt "Junior" Murrell and his wife Barbara of Hartford City, Indiana; nine grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.