On the afternoon of August 9th, 2023, Evelyn “Evie” Carey passed away at home with family by her side, at the age of ninety.
Evie was born to Otto and Rosalie Myran on September 13th, 1932 in Taylor, ND and the family moved to Kinsey, MT in 1941. There, Evie attended grade school, developed her love for animals, and learned the value of hard work. While attending high school in Miles City and helping on the family farm milking cows and hauling milk, she started her long-time career in the grocery business. First, in Miles City, at Sawyers, Woolworths, then Reynolds Grocery for 28 years; in Forsyth at TimCins; and last, after moving to Red Lodge, MT in 1994, at the Beartooth IGA. Evie’s customers meant everything to her and customers would go specifically to her line. She retired just shy of her 80th birthday (and only then due to an injury). She loved her work and the people – or, as she would say, her friends.
After graduating from Custer County High School in 1950, Evie married Harley Wildman in 1951. They resided in KnowIton, MT and Evie began her family with three sons; Clint, Dallas and Tim. After their divorce, Evie married Airman Wilson “Bill” Bennett and added her first daughter, Cynthia “Cindy”. Bill returned to NC, and they divorced. In late 1959, Evie married the love-of-her-life, Mencel Carey of Kinsey, and they completed the family with three more daughters: Stena, Mencella, and Rebecca “Becky”.
Family was everything to Evie – her large holiday gatherings, good times at the tin cabin in Red Lodge, and her oft-repeated statement, “just leave the kids with me!” proved as much. She was a kind soul that not only cared for her own family, but for anyone that needed someone. Extra wrapped Christmas gifts were always on hand for the ones that had no place to go. And if someone and their pet needed a home, they had one. They were never strangers; everyone was her friend and once a member of the family, you were always a member of the family. If someone needed her help, Evie gave it, and she doled out hugs and (if needed) the occasional butt chewing to all. If you were lucky, you even received one of her beautiful paintings. Evie’s work was her entertainment, home was her solitude, and family was her everything.
Evelyn is survived by her children: Clint Wildman of Billings, Dallas (Linda) Wildman of Miles City, Cindy Muggli Smith of Red Lodge, Stena (Jim) Bushnell of Red Lodge, Mencella (Kelly) Carlson of Miles City, Rebecca (Dixon) Murnion of Sand Springs. Daughter-in-law Cyn Wildman. One sister, Shirley Watts and one brother Orville Myran. Sister-in-law Fern Griggs. Grandchildren Travis (Steph) Chamberlain, Tyler (Marina) Wildman, BreAnn (Jeremie) Vandersloot, Mathew (Jordan) Evenson, Jodi (Ted) Herzog, Jenny (Brad) Malloy, Travis Wildman, Tiffany Wildman, Cara (Nate) Cook, Kit (Amberly) Chalberg, Rhonda (Jeff) Wald, Brandie Bushnell, Mandie (Jeff) Driessen, Randielynn (Russell) Mosier, Ally (Andy) Haegele, Maverick (Kayla) Bushnell, Glen (Cherie) Greer, Michael (Chettie) Greer, Jason Greer, Logan Carey; And many, many beloved great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, plus many nieces and nephews.
Evie is preceded in death by: her parents, husband Mencel Carey; son Tim Wildman; daughter-in-law Leslie Wildman, daughter-in-law Peggy Callaghan, son-in-law Bubba Smith; grandson Clint Zeitner, granddaughter Wendy Wilson; Siblings Wayne (Isabell) Myran, Frannie (Frank) Ziebarth, Lou (John) Wellems, Alice (Jim) Ramsey, and Glen Myran. In laws Laura (Don) Mullen and Chuck (Bonnie Watts) Carey; and Evie’s favorite kitty, JC.
A graveside service for her immediate family will be held Friday, September 15th, 2023 at Custer County Cemetery in Miles City. Immediately following at 11:30 am is an informal Celebration of Life at Riverside Park for family and friends to come together for food and memories. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Beartooth Hospice Memorial Fund, PO Box 490, Red Lodge, MT 59068, in memory of Evelyn Carey.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11:30 a.m.
Friday September 15, 2023
Riverside Park
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
11:30 a.m.
Friday September 15, 2023
Riverside Park
Miles City, MT 59301
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Carolyn Kimball says
Fond memories of Evie makes me smile. So very sorry for your loss.
Susanne Galbraith says
Sending sincere condolences.
mark nielsen says
Sending condolences to the whole Carey family, You all are in my thoughts and prayers. Girls my heart hurts for you God bless you. Evie is such a sweet lady,
Linda Walker says
Such a sweet and kind woman. Your family is so blessed to have had her for so long. Love to you all. Linda
Susan Sanderson says
Clint, Dallas, Cindy, Stena, Mencella, and Becky.
I am sorry to see that Evie has passed away. Please accept my sincere condolences of the loss of your Mom. She was such a wonderful and kind soul. She always had a smile on her face. May your memories be many and they continue to comfort you in the future.
Ruben and June Opp says
To all the Carey family, my heart breaks with the passing of my best friend ( co worker at Reynolds for 23 years) As everyone else says she was a very kind and caring person to everyone,and very giving to her entire family, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.I do miss seeing you all now and than. May God bless and comfort you all during this difficult time and in the days to come, just remember the good old days as her and I used to say.Love to you all!
June and Ruben Opp
Yuma,AZ.
Burl Mulkey says
sorry for your loss
James Arneson says
My deepest condolences to the Carey Family and her friends she loved so much. What a wonderful person kind and caring. May God bless you all with the best of memories now and always.
Dee Bickle says
So sorry for your loss!
Jim & Cathy Bastian says
OH my what memories we have with Evie and family! 1st at Kinsey, then Reynolds, and then with her kids!! We know she has left you a wonderful legacy. She was such a kind, gentle, loving person! She will be missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Ron and Marilyn Frize says
I hope you all know how blessed you have been over the years to have such a wonderful lady watching over you all. Evie was one of a kind with a huge heart and tender soul. I’m sure the whole gang has welcomed her with open arms and are having one of their epic celebrations.
Maureen Larson says
Sending condolences to the Wildman and Carey families. I didn’t know your mother/grandmother but wish I would have as so many wonderful comments and a beautiful tribute to her. You’re all in my thoughts and prayers.
Kolleen Forsyth says
Wonderful memories will long outlive Evie. Keep those close and share them often. No one replaces our Moms.
This has been a hard year of loss for all of you and youre in my thoughts from afar.
💕. Hugs to the Wildman / Carey survivors.
Darla Wier says
Sad to see your mom has passed away, but it is nice that
you had her to enjoy and be in your lives for that many years. It is still hard to see them go. I can still hear her voice, and that laugh. Sympathies to all of your families
Darla Haughian wier
Deb Bartholomew and Family says
Carey Families
I am so sorry to hear of your loss of Evelyn. Always remember “When A Loved One Becomes A Memory That Memory Becomes A Treasure”. She will always be a Treasure in your hearts and not forgotten. Treasure your memories as they will help thru difficult times ahead. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Julie Kaufman says
I’m so sorry for your loss. Evie was a favorite coworker at Reynolds many years ago. Rest well, Evie, you deserve it!
Jack Hagen says
I remember working with Evie at Reynolds in the late 60’s. She was nice to me as I was just a young kid at the time. What a nice lady!!
Molstad Families says
Condolences to everyone with the sad loss of your mother. Even a long life is too short where love abounds.
Susan I Backlund says
Evie was a very special person and will be missed! Always so friendly and we had so much fun when we went to Red Lodge.