Evelyn Walters' Obituary
Evelyn Mae Lewis Walters
Passed into eternal life on Aug. 2, 2011 surrounded by her children. The fifth of six children, Evelyn was born in Washington County, Kansas on March 10, 1917 to M. Harvey and Estella Cain Lewis. Her childhood was spent on the family farm during the Great Depression followed by the dust bowl. At age 17 she graduated from high school in Clyde, KS and then continued her education by attending a business college. She worked her way though college by working at many different jobs and eventually attended Kansas State College in Manhattan, KS where she pursued a nursing career.
On August 17, 1941, Evelyn married Harlan Rees in Greensburg, KS. Harlan's work took them to Washington DC where their daughter Cheryl was born. Harlan passed away in 1945. After his death, Evelyn, with Cheryl in tow, returned to finish her degree at Kansas State College where she caught the eye of a handsome young man, Kenneth Walters, who had just returned from the war. They married on January 28, 1948 and soon had two children, Cathy and Larry. In 1957 Ken's work took the family to Tacoma, WA where they raised their family.
Evelyn will be remembered by her family and friends as a joyful, giving and caring person. After retiring from the Tacoma Pierce County Health Department, she was active in many different volunteer organizations where she gave of her time, talents and treasures. A few of the diverse organizations she volunteered and worked hard for include: Red Cross meal program at the Fife Senior Center, FISH Food Bank of Tacoma, South Tacoma Christian Church, Village Green Knitting Group (making hats for newborns at St. Francis Hospital), AARP tax preparation, and serving as a Washington State University Cooperative Extension Service as a Master Food Preparer. Evelyn also touched many lives by providing and caring for friends, family and for those less fortunate.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, her five siblings, her husbands Harlan and Ken, and grand daughter Jennifer. She is survived by her children Cheryl Gower, Cathy Cooper and Larry Walters: her grandchildren, Mary Evelyn Stevens, Michael Hurtado and Kenneth Hurtado, and five great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at Mountain View Cemetery in Lakewood on August 8 at 12:30 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at Wesley Homes Lea Hill in Auburn on August 8 at 3 p.m. An online guest book is available at mountainviewtacoma.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or charity: water. (charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. charitywater.org)
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
What’s your fondest memory of Evelyn?
What’s a lesson you learned from Evelyn?
Share a story where Evelyn's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Evelyn you’ll never forget.
How did Evelyn make you smile?