Evelyn Sue Walling

Evelyn Sue Walling was born on October 28, 1943, in Ringling, Oklahoma, to Wesley and Beulah (Abshire) Knight. When Evelyn was just a child, the family headed out west to work in the fields and bring in crops, migrating all over California, Oregon, and Washington. They had many adventures together harvesting fruit and beans, meeting new people and seeing different places.  When Evelyn was a teenager, she and her friend Bev were set to go on a blind date. When Evelyn’s date, Dale, backed out at the last minute, his brother Gary stepped in and the rest is history. Gary and Evelyn had an immediate connection and sparks flew. Gary’s father was very strict, so often he would have to sneak out his window to go hang out with the group of friends he and Evelyn shared. The couple was married in Wiley City, Washington, on October 14, 1961.  They continued their migrant lifestyle together even after the birth of their children. When the kids neared school age, Gary and Evelyn settled in the Marion, Oregon, area where they lived for the next 40 years in the same home. As a family they enjoyed camping trips to places like Prineville and Diamond Lake where they would fish and play in the water.  Evelyn loved gardening, raising her own garden and growing beautiful flowers. She loved to read Western books, listened to Country Western music and enjoyed watching movies. Her hobbies included quilting and crocheting. On the weekends Evelyn helped her daughter Kim at events for her small business. Evelyn truly was the glue that held her family together. She had a huge heart and cared and worried about everyone. Her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the highlight of her life. Evelyn loved spending time with them and doting on each one. She would take them to Panda Express or Sonic then head home to watch movies together.  Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers Junior, Bill, Ladel, and Kenneth. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Gary; children Kim (Jeff) Hemelstrand, Jeff (Kim) Walling, and Susie (James) Loop; grandchildren Jessica, Ashley, Jeffrey, Jason, Andrew, and Celeste; great-grandchildren Trinity, Trevor, Eliza, Ethan, Leighlan, Jaxon, Waylon, Kaydence, Linkyn, and Zoey; and her sister Wanda Allen.