Evalina Stetler, age 97, of Miles City, and formerly of Valier, Montana, went to be with her Lord and Savior on October 9th, 2014 at Friendship Villa, with her daughter, Sharon, by her side. She would have been 98 in seventeen days. She was ready to leave for her Heavenly home.
Evalina was born on October 26, 1916, the first born child of Mathias and Rebecca Marcum Wystub, on a farm near Valier, Montana. She had four siblings that joined her. After high school in Valier, she went to a cosmetology school in Washington with her sister, Rose.
Evalina married Ralph Stetler on October 30, 1939, in Choteau, Montana. They worked together on various ranches before they bought their own small ranch on the Rocky Mountain Front 25 miles west of Choteau, Montana. They were blessed with two daughters, Shirley Gooch (Melvon) of Perris, California, and Sharon Alderman (Bob) of Miles City, Montana.
Evalina wasn’t afraid of work. She did well at almost anything she tried. She was a beautiful seamstress, a great cook, and a great hand in the field. She could ride a horse like no other. She rolled with the punches that life dealt her.
Her husband, Ralph, was seriously injured in a round baler accident, and they ended up selling their small ranch to the Salmond Ranch. In 1964 they moved back to Valier, and continued farming a small farm that Evalina had inherited in the 50’s.
She loved being a mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She had the opportunity towards the end of her life to live in a four generation household. She loved watching her young great-grandchildren, Jacoby, Declan, and Devereaux. Their great grandma could just watch them for hours with a big smile on her face. They were the apple of her eye. She was so proud of her great grandson, Brendon Bartz, when he visited in his army uniform. She also loved it when her great grand- daughter , Whytlee Bartz, would visit. Evalina also looked forward to her visits or phone calls from Darlene, Doug, and Mary Wystub, Carla Raines, and Jan Sage. It made her day when she received pictures from her granddaughter, Shelley. She would look at them for hours. Evalina also had love for her 3 pet companions and napping buddies, Westside, the cat and her two great-grand dogs, Maggie and Rondo.
She saw a lot in her life time. She traveled to town in a horse and buggy with her parents as a baby. She lived to see the automobile become the transportation of the day, as well as the airplane. Phones were not a part of her life in the beginning and she never understood computers.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her aunt and name sake, Evalina Morgan, an infant son, her husband, Ralph, and her two sisters, Anna Wystub, Rose Hass, her two brothers, Paul and Alvin Wystub, and a dear nephew, Ryan Wystub.
She is survived by her daughters: Shirley (Melvon) Gooch, Sharon (Bob) Alderman, five grandchildren: Shelley (Eldon) Palmer, Todd Gooch, Tami Christiaens, Robbie (Rachelle) Christiaens, Amanda (Travis) Grealish, 12 great grandchildren, and her 13th great grandchild to be born in November.
A graveside funeral service will be held at the Lakeview Cemetery in Valier, Montana, on October 17, at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:www.stevensonandsons.com.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday October 17, 2014
Lakeview Cemetery
Valier, Montana 59486
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Friday October 17, 2014
Lakeview Cemetery
Valier, Montana 59486
Eileen & Vern Entzel says
Your are in our thoughts and prayers. Remember all the good times and memories you have when she was living with you and the past years. They will help you smile and make each day a little easier.
Jerry and Peggy Stanley says
Thinking of you all in the loss of your mom and grandmother. Will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Diona & Jerry Austill says
Thinking of you all as you travel to lay your mother at rest. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know if you need us to do anything.
clara jo (Arneson) Sikveland says
Dear Sharon and family.My thoughts and prayers are with you all.Your mom and grandma was a wonderful Lady. May all the wonderful Memories fill your days..God Bless..
Denise and Jay Harvey says
Sharon. Your mother sounds like an amazing lady. I wish I had met her but now I see why you are an amazing lady! May God Bless you and your family.
MCKINLEY WARTH says
I stopped in Valier to visit my Cousins in 1958, on my way to Alaska. I met Paul and family. My Grandmoth Roda Marcum Raypole was sister to Rebecca. One sister I was told lived in Alaska, but I never found her. Stationed there for 3 years.
God Bless all I am 87 (20220