Eileen M. Evans

Missoula's walking woman has taken her final walk to heaven. Eileen M. Evans, 86, passed away Monday, July 6, 2015, at St. Patrick Hospital, of natural causes.

She was born May 4, 1929, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to John and Mary Lacey, and was raised with her five siblings, Tom, Joan, Bob, Mary Jane and John, in Wheaton, Illinois. She went on to obtain her nursing degree at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and married William (Bill) Barrett Evans in 1957.

She worked as a nurse until Bill finished his Ph.D., and the couple chose to start their family, adding Benjamin and Patricia. The family moved to Missoula in 1965, when Bill took a position as a history professor at the University of Montana.

Eileen was a very active member of the Catholic Church, and in the local community. She was a longtime member of Christ the King Church's choir, and Wednesday's Outdoor Women (aka W.O.W.), a local hiking group. She also participated in a swimming group at the Griz Pool, and played bridge with friends every Monday. She was well-known in Missoula for walking anywhere and everywhere, rain or shine. She also had a passion for skiing and enjoyed ice skating in the winter. Needless to say, she lived a life we should all strive for and left behind too many friends and loved ones to count.

Funeral services and reception will take place Wednesday, July 22, at noon at Christ the King Church in Missoula. In lieu of gifts, the family requests that donations be made to Christ the King Church or the Poverello Center.
Read Eileen Evans's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.