RAE EVANSON
1918 - 2011
Rae (nee Mendenhall) Evanson, beloved wife of John Eugene Evanson, passed away in Lethbridge on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at the age of 93 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the church prior to the funeral service on Monday, October 24, 2011 between 11:30 A.M. and 12:40 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Monday, October 24, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Rae was born on September 23, 1918 in Raymond. Here she attended elementary school and had fond memories of her neighborhood. Later she moved to Taber, where she finished her high school and met John E. Evanson. On July 6, 1939 they were married in the Cardston, Alberta Temple. They moved to the farm and Rae supported her husband in farming all her life.
Rae enjoyed reading and writing poetry, knitting, cooking, quilting and raising her family. She had a great love for Southern Alberta, rarely missing a summer visit to Waterton Parks. She served in many positions in the The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Rae is survived by her seven children Dale (Phyllis) Evanson of Cardston, Carolyn (Eldon) Smith of Salt Lake City, Utah, Jerold (Pat) Evanson of Salt Lake City, Utah, Barbara Jones of Blackfoot, Idaho, Thomas (Carol) Evanson of Taber, Lorna Allred of Star Valley, Utah, Leif (Carly) Evanson of Taber; half brother Lorin Mendenhall of Raymond; half sister Dawn (Bill) Brooks of Raymond; step brother Ralph (Bea) Rhea of Fort Macleod; sister-in-law Alma Mendenhall of Raymond as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Rae and Johnnie have two hundred and twenty four descendants.
Rae was predeceased by her father Thomas T. Mendenhall; mother Hannah; step-mother Nita; infant son David Evanson; granddaughter Lindsey Evanson; siblings and their spouses Virginia (Godrey) Holmes, Georgia (Welburn) Van Orman, Jack (Iona) Mendenhall, Ross Mendenhall, Bird (Van) Van Orman, Elizabeth Mendenhall and Gibb Mendenhall.
Rae has left a legacy of love to all her family and friends. She will always be remembered for her gentle kindness and her life of service to others.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Rae’s name may be made directly to the Taber and District Health Foundation, 4326 - 50 Avenue, Taber, Alberta T1G 1N9.
To all those from Lethbridge and Taber Hospitals and Cardston Care Centre, who have cared for Rae, the family sends our sincere thanks.