Evelyn Richard

Evelyn Richard, age 82, a resident of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, died on Sunday, June 28, 2009, at Crystal Lake Inn, Pelican Rapids, under the care of the staff at Crystal Lake Inn Adult Foster Care Home and Hospice of the Red River Valley.Evelyn Joyce Paxton was born March 20, 1927, in Columbiaville, Michigan, the daughter of Frank N. and Florence (Hartman) Paxton.She was raised in Yale, Michigan, graduating from high school there.Evelyn married Robert I. Richard on April 1 (Easter Sunday), 1945, while Bob was still in the U.S. Army.They were stationed at Ft. Riley, Kansas, where a son, Robert I. Richard, Jr. (Mike) was born.After active duty they moved back to Michigan, living in Yale then Traverse City, then on to Wisconsin for a short period before moving to Clarkfield, Minnesota, on to Moorhead, Minnesota, and finally in 1972 they moved to Montana where they lived in Bozeman and Avon.She left Avon and moved to Pelican Rapids in September 2008 to be near family after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.Evelyn spent her working career primarily as an executive secretary working various places as they moved west one state at a time.Bob and Evelyn were care takers of the Echo Valley Campground, Avon, Montana, for several years.She retired from the Montana Stock Growers Association, Helena, Montana.She could type as fast as most people talk.She was very active in the Community of Christ Church, serving as an Elder, and in many activities in her local community.She was famous for her fresh baked bread, pies, Christmas candy trays and especially her coveted strawberry rhubarb jam most of which she gave away.Her passions were picture puzzles, knitting, crocheting, handiwork and she was ALWAYS reading.She was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Bob (who nicknamed her Shorty); her parents, a brother, and three sisters.Evelyn is survived by her son, Mike (Joyce) Richard, Pelican Rapids, MN; one sister, Phyllis (Ray) Wilkinson, Pembroke Pines, FL.She also leaves her special adopted family from Avon, the Becks John, Lois, Nick, Casey, Bobbi Jo, and Sonny who thought of her as a mom and grandma; many nieces and nephews; and special friends across the country.Her loving, sweet personality will be missed by so many.A special thanks to Joy and Norm Westby and staff of the Crystal Lake Inn (Vicky, Karen, Diane, and Carmen) and the hospice staff who cared so diligently for her until the peace finally came; in Evelyns own words, Ive never been so pampered.Thanks also to fellow residents; Jerome, John and Butch for all the fun; she enjoyed sharing a home with you.Shortys desire was to return to Montana for a memorial service to be held at the Echo Valley Campground Chapel (Community of Christ), Avon, Montana.A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 15, 2009, at 2:00 p.m.In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley.Blessed Be The Memory Of Evelyn Richard