Mrs. Evelyn Irene Miller

A loving wife, mother, grandmother, auntie, sister, cousin, daughter and friend, Evelyn was dedicated to enriching the lives of those she loved and cared for in her gentle and selfless way. Many of us were fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of Evelyn’s special care, friendship and love.

Born in Brandonville, West Virginia on September 24, 1926, Evelyn was the second child among her five siblings. At age two, the family hopped on a train to Taylor, Washington where her parents Claude and Dessie would work at the Gladding-McBean brick and tile plant. After first grade she and the family moved to Hobart and a few years later moved to Maple Valley where she was a baton majorette at Tahoma High School.

As a teenager, Evelyn worked various jobs including berry-picking, later working in downtown Seattle with her friend Lillian helping take care of families. In 10th grade she bravely asked a “very handsome boy” Walt Miller to a skating party. Disappointingly, he said no because he had to stay home and milk the cows! At age 17, Walt enlisted in the Marines to fight in World War II, where he fought on the front lines in the South Pacific. Shortly after Walt returned from the war, the two came upon each other again in Maple Valley and began dating, with Walt now off of cow milking duty! On May 16, 1947 Walt and Evelyn were married in a double wedding with her cousin and close friend, Roxie Bartholomew who married Orville Trover.

A few years later, Walt and Evelyn purchased 40 acres in Hobart with Walt’s parents Bruno and Lydia (who immigrated from Finland.) Walt’s youngest brother, Robert, a master craftsman, built their parents a house and then built one for Walt and Evelyn where they raised their three children Jerry, Joy and Lori. Evelyn generously supported her children, taking interest in, engaging with and encouraging each of them to follow their diverse talents, hopes and loves.

Many in Evelyn’s family were cared for by her authentic and nurturing nature. Along with her siblings, she helped care for her mother, Dessie Bartholomew and later her mother-in-law, Lydia Miller. She provided full-time care for her son Jerry during his last couple years until succumbing to AIDS, taken from her and his family much too young. Evelyn helped lovingly raise all three of her grandchildren, was a nanny to her nephew’s Jeff and Willie Klein as well as “nieces” Wendi and Cyndi Loomis. Evelyn wrote, “I enjoyed babysitting because I treated them as if they were my own. I surely loved all of the children I babysat.” Each of those children have been forever changed by her loving care. All grown up now, the special time they spent with her remains firmly in their hearts.

Evelyn enjoyed time with neighbors, friends and extended family who lived close by with plenty of picnics, camping, visiting and saunas. Many weekends, Evelyn spent time fishing the ocean on Walt’s boat in the waters of Neah Bay. Several road trips were taken by Walt and Evelyn along with family members who piled in their car to visit her family living back east.

Pottery was an art she became interested in, taking evening classes at Tahoma and then Green River Community College, making many unique pieces. Appreciative of the beauty of Hobart and the love of exercise, she took daily walks with the family around “the loop,” following SE 208th, 258th, 200th, past the Hobart Community Church, onto the Issaquah Hobart Rd and back home. When the grandkids accompanied her, there was a mandatory stop for treats at the Hobart Store!

With an adventurous streak, she shared the love of travel and exploring with Walt, her kids, grandkids and extended family over the years. She traveled to the Florida Keys, Hawaii, an Alaskan Cruise and Finland, meeting some of Walt’s Finnish relatives. She visited national parks such as Yellowstone, The Grand Canyon, Olympic National Park and Yosemite. She saw each of the lower 48 states and went on numerous laughter-filled trips with family at some of Washington’s most beautiful locations! Another favorite was the Annual Bartholomew Family Reunion campouts and later picnics - something Evelyn looked forward to every summer!

Although she loved to travel and explore, home in Hobart was where her heart was. She enjoyed making family dinners for holidays and birthdays where her kids and grandkids would gather for a wonderful time eating, laughing and playing cards. She and Walt enjoyed doing chores on the 40 acres. Evelyn could often be found hitching a ride on the back of Walt’s old Ferguson tractor to get firewood from storm-downed trees. Each of the grandkids often hitched a ride next to her to help, having lots of fun as well!

Spoiling her family, especially the kids, with their favorite foods, she made toasted homemade bread, cinnamon rolls and doughnuts. Other favorites were local frankfurters from Frank’s in Black Diamond, pan-fried Finn potatoes, special salads, ice cream, popcorn, pancakes, and her delicious unique dessert creations! When she wasn’t busy taking care of family or kids, doing chores on the farm, or visiting with relatives, she could be found reading, chasing a sunny spot, if there was one! Evelyn was an avid reader!

Evelyn adored her family and friends and was happiest when they were with her. If a physical place can be considered family, her home in Hobart was that place. Evelyn regularly vocalized how grateful she was for such a wonderful and beautiful life!

Evelyn is predeceased by her husband, Walter Miller, her son, Jerry Lee Miller, her eldest sister, Agnes “Ag” Lavens (Bartholomew), younger brother Paul Bartholomew, youngest sister Mable Hale (Bartholomew), and her niece, Cindy Klein (Hale), who she was especially close to.

Evelyn is survived by her younger sister Dorothy “Dode” Habenicht (Bartholomew) and youngest brother, David Bartholomew (Glennie.) She is also survived by her eldest daughter, Joy Wood (Bob) and youngest daughter, Lori Gosnell (JT), eldest granddaughter, Andrea "Andie" Date (Troy), grandson, Jamie Thompson (Shelly) and youngest grandson, Trevor Hall (Caitlin.)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tacoma-cremation for the Miller family.