Evelyn Alice Bostrom's Obituary
Â" Death lies on her, like an untimely frost upon the sweetest flower in the field.Â" ShakespeareEvelyn Alice Bostrom, born in Max, North Dakota, on December 12, 1907, peacefully ascended to heaven on June 21, 2004 in Olympia, WA to join her parents Charles and Anna Bostrom, her bothers LaVerne and Roy and her sisters Helen McClurg and Berniece Bostrom in the LordÂ's presence. Evelyn was one of the eight Bostrom children raised in the small farming community where she attended Max High School and graduated Valedictorian. Her passion for literature made teaching an easy career choice. She attended Jamestown College, Jamestown, ND on scholarship where she earned her BachelorÂ's Degree in Education. She went on to complete her MasterÂ's Degree in Education at the University of Wyoming.Her teaching career started in Van Hook, ND, followed by teaching assignments in Big Horn and New Castle, WY. Evelyn moved to Washington in 1943 to take a teaching position in the English Department at Kelso High School where she would so wonderfully touch thousands of students over the years until herretirement in 1972. She taught College Prep English, headed the Journalism Department, advised the Annual Staff, and became head of the English Department. Throughout her retirement, Evelyn would continue to receive phone calls, letters and visits from former students who loved her dearly and who appreciated her positive influence on their lives.Â"Praising what is lost, makes the remembrance dear.Â" ShakespeareEvelynÂ's passion was English literature, particularly William Shakespeare. So much so that years earlier, she traveled to England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales just to visit the birthplaces of her favorites - Shakespeare, Dickens, Chaucer, Keats, Milton and Hardy. Rarely would she miss attending the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon. Her library was adorned with books of great authors, great artists and great thinkers. It was her enthusiasm and her thirst for knowledge that kindled, not just in her students but in all who knew her, an interest in and ultimately an appreciation of the arts and humanities. Yet, EvelynÂ's intellectual scope was not limited to 17th century literature. She could converse on any subject Â- from last nightÂ's MarinerÂ's game to global warming to the latest Supreme Court ruling. She was always on top of what was happening. Evelyn was truly ninety-six years young and sharp as a tack. If it were Spring, she would finish the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle and do some gardening Â- all before lunchtime. Nurturing and pampering her flowers, especially her roses, were of great joy. And if it were Winter, she might curl up with a Dickens classic that would match the mood. It was her zest for life that made her so special. Evelyn would greet you into her heart with a twinkle in her eye and a smile that always made you feel welcome. Â"Alas, poor world, what treasure hast thou lost!Â" Shakespeare Evelyn was a Charter Member of Delta Kappa Gamma Â- Chi Chapter; the Olympia VASSA Lodge 550, a Swedish cultural society; the First United Methodist Church in Kelso, WA; and the Olympia Westminster Presbyterian Church.Evelyn is survived by her sister Linnea Fisher, of Federal Way, Wa., nephew Bruce Fisher of Auburn, Wa., and niece Sharon Nolan of Bellevue, Wa., her sister Geneva Woods of Olympia, Wa., her sister Edie Melhouse of Bismark, N.D., nephew Jim Melhouse, Co., and niece Diane Law of Mn., her nephew Donald McClurg of Mn., and sister-in-law Bette Jo Bostrom of Co. and niece Barbara Rose of Md. Memorial Services will be July 11 at 3:00 PM at Olympia Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 1925 Boulevard Rd. S.E., Olympia, WA.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Jamestown Scholarship Fund, 6082 College Lane, Jamestown, ND 58405 www.jc.edu
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