It is with great sadness the family of Winnie Evans announce her passing on Nov. 28 - 09 surrounded by her loving family at age 82 years.
Winnie’s parents immigrated from Norway in 1927. Winnie was born Aug. 25, 1927 in Brooks, Alberta.
She was proud to say “Made in Norway produced in Canada.”
Winnie’s family moved to several different towns before settling in Wells in 1939. For the next 42 years Wells was home. She attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. She worked at the Wells Hotel, Wells Hospital and later as the receptionist for the Holley Clinic.
She loved to ski, curl and knit, and combined those loves by knitting beautiful curling sweaters. A photo of a sweater that featured a depiction of the Barkerville Church made the Cariboo Observer in 1958.
Winnie’s passion was music and dancing so it was at the Barkerville dances her star shone the brightest.
Winnie met her future husband Jim when he was a patient in the Wells Hospital. They were married on June 23, 1950. Winnie had four daughters and 2 sons.
In her younger days she like to take the kids gold panning, on picnics at Bowron Lake and to pick wild berries. She was still hiking the mountain sides for huckleberries up until a few years ago.
Winnie had a real knack for making her home feel cozy, warm and welcoming. She made the best homemade bread and buns. She strived to make the holidays special for her family also inviting the local bachelors home to share in Christmas dinner.
Winnie was well known for her routines and her loud call for her children for supper, all of Wells knew it was 5:00 p.m.
In 1981 she moved to Quesnel. She never learned to drive but “Boy could she walk”, especially the river walk. She also took up aerobics for several years.
In quieter moments she enjoyed meeting friends over coffee, embroidering tablecloths and working on word puzzles. She also loved jig saw puzzles - creating many masterpieces, one piece at a time.
Winnie loved to travel, making trips with her daughters to Norway, Sweden, Hawaii, Alaska, the Rocky Mountains as well as trips to Reno and Disneyland. True to her selfless nature she dedicated countless hours caring for her elderly mother.
Her pride and joy were her grand and great grandchildren, never failing to bring a smile to her face.
A memorial tea was held on Dec. 3 - 09 at the Golden Center. The eulogy was read by Jay Vermette. Interment at Tranquility Gardens. Winnie is survived by her husband Jim of 59 1/2 years.
Daughters Catherine Karey, Carolyn Evans, Cindy (Ray) Evans-Blaine all of Quesnel, BC. Corrine (Cary) Gobbett, son Robert (Val) Evans of Prince George, BC.
Grandchildren, John Vermette of Prince George, BC, Mitch (Crystal) Karey of Vegreville, Alberta, Haven Evans of Prince George, BC. Great grandchildren Shavanah Vermette of Dawson Creek, BC, Ethan Karey and Donavan Belcourt-Karey of Vegreville, Alberta. Brothers Jack Anderson of Vernon, BC, Roy Anderson of Chilliwack, BC, and many nieces and nephews.
Winnie is predeceased by her father Bjarne, mother Alma, stepfather Knut, sister Margot, brother Frank, infant son Ronald and grandson Adrian.
Those we love don’t go away they walk beside us everyday. No longer in our life to share but in our hearts she is always there.