I was lucky to meet Evie in 2005 when she was attending Anoka Technical College. I sat with her at lunch one day, curious to hear her story and I was wowed by this amazing woman. 

She had decided to go to college to keep her brain sharp. It's been many years and I can't remember our conversations precisely. She was studying medical transcription if I remember correctly. 

I sat with her many times to hear more about her and to learn from her life wisdom. She was an amazing woman!

I was the Student Senate President at the time, and Evie inspired me so much that I had to share her story with more people and I had the podium to do so, literally. 

At her college graduation, at about 70 years old, I had the podium. I shared with the graduating class, the faculty, and the families gathered, what an inspiration she had been to me and some of the lessons I gleamed from our chats together.

It was an honor to know you Evie, may you rest in peace. 🕊️

Not sure if the family is checking this, but I was cleaning out my closet and found one of Evie‘s sweet cards and was admiring her penmanship, which was amazing! Then I looked her up just to see if I could find her as we used to work together at Herbergers. I was so sad to know she passed away, but she was just such a wonderful, sweet woman and I enjoy chatting with her at work. Such a sweet, sweet woman who left great memories in my heart.

Rocky

Vicki's Eulogy 6/12/2021 (start of multiple postings)

Evie’s Story

Hi Every One.  Thank you, Pastor Randy, for being with us to share God’s Love.  Welcome brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends of Evelyn Countryman.  A time to remember Evelyn.  I am Vicki Lastovich.  I am the oldest of 3 children.  Evie has 3 wonderful grandchildren and is blessed with 6 great-grandchildren.

Evelyn was a beautiful Swede and a good Finlander.  She had beautiful blue eyes that were filled with love.  Evelyn’s heart was filled with love and gratitude for her family, friends, Pastor Randy, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Jerusha, Dr. Madhu Manoj, Allina At-Home Caregivers, and Hospice Care that helped her feel comfortable in her own home she loved so much.

Mom told me she wanted a going away party.  She’s going from here to heaven.  This is Evie’s story.  Eighty-six years ago in the city of Minneapolis, MN, Evelyn Helen Johnson was born on June 29, 1934 at 6:14 pm.  It was a very hot summer day, 104° and Evie’s mother, Helen Evelyn, was in labor with no air conditioning.  There were fans blowing with a bag of ice in front of them. It was not enough to cool the hot labor room.   

Evelyn was a child of the great depression.  There was little money and jobs were hard to find.  Aunt Alice called Evelyn, Evalinka.  Elof, Evelyn’s older brother, called her Gee Gee because it was hard to say Evelyn when you’re only sixteen months older.  Gee Gee was her name all the way through high school.

Evelyn was a salutatorian at Vocational High School in Minneapolis.  She ranked second highest in a graduating class of 1952.  Evelyn worked at William Seltz Attorney at Law.  She rode a city bus to St. Paul and delivered corporate documents, Articles of Incorporation, to the State Capitol.

Vicki Eulogy 6/12/2021 (continued)

Growing up, Evelyn lived in the basement of tenement housing.  Evelyn said it was drury doing her homework in the basement, so she sat on the front step.  Evelyn was 14 when she started dating Harland Countryman.  Harland lived a few blocks away.  He would drive by her house with a car full of girls and there was another boy. One day, Harland drove by and asked if she would like to go with them for a root beer.  Root beer was 5¢ and 10¢ back then.  Evelyn said “yes” and got in the car.  This went on until one day, Evelyn got in the car and it was only Evelyn and Harland.

Evelyn age 18 and Harland 24 married in The Finnish Church July 11, 1952.  Vicki was born 16 months later.  Evelyn was in labor for 24 hours with Vicki.  Afterwards, the nurse, in a white dress and starched hat, stood in the doorway holding Vicki and said, “Friends, Romans, Countryman.” 

Vicki weighed 5 pounds when she came home from the hospital, and needed to be fed every 2 hours.  Mom set an alarm so I would not miss a feeding.  Evelyn went to work at the office of Public Health and Nursing when I was only 6 weeks old. 

Laura was born 3 years later.  Harley was born 2 years after Laura.  All 3 of us were born in November.  Even our dog, Teddy, a Boston Terrier was born in November, November 12.  When Laura and Harley were born, we became a family.  Laura’s baby picture was in consideration for the Gerber Baby.   Harley has kept us laughing, smiling, and having fun.  Mom and Dad raised good kids.

Mother Dear prayed and put her children in God’s hands every day.  Mother Dear read her Bible every day, daily devotions.  God was very strong in her life.  When I lived at home, I never heard Mom say a swear word.  Maybe “oh butterfingers” when she dropped something.  Dad called her      E-Slip because she had a tendency to drop things.

Vicki's Eulogy 6/12/2021 (continued)

Mother Dear gave her children powerful prayers that worked.  I remember one Saturday when Harley went to Costco to pick up Mom’s drugs.  The line into Costco was wrapped around the building.  Mom told Harley to just go to the front of the line and say “I’m here to pick up some drugs for my mom.”  Mom said, “I’ll pray for you.”  Harley went to the front of the line and said “I’m here to pick up some drugs for my mom.”  A Costco employee said “go right in.”  Prayers work. 

 “I pray for all my kids, yes.  I pray for your cars, your vehicles, your traveling, your job, your schooling, and for the kids, and I pray for my friends.  I thank God every day for you.  My life is good because of you, kids.”

Mother Dear gave us the gift of a great memory, powerful determination, artistic creativity, the love of movies, faith, and taught us how to pray and give thanks.  Evie lived her life with love, grace, and gratitude.  Evie liked to do crossword puzzles and loved to read.  She wrote book reports at school for 50¢.  Evie read every book that was given to her.

Mom taught us to be honest, have a solid, good work ethic, and be resourceful.  Mother Dear was our first teacher.  I learned from mom, the secret of life is smiles, compliments, and thankfulness.  If you can make someone happy, you are happy, too.

Mother Dear loved to knit and watch TV.  She knitted Mark and I matching dune buggy coats.  She knitted hats, booties, sweaters, mittens, and a bunting for her grandchildren.  Our children were warm, happy, and loved.  People noticed and complimented “someone’s been knitting.”  Yes, that’s my mom.

When Kami was born, Mom became a great-grandmother.  Evie wanted to be called G.G.  Evie made beautiful, hand-crafted greeting cards.  They were made with love and sent with love.  When we saw calligraphy on the envelope in the mailbox, we knew it was from G.G.

Vicki's Eulogy 6/12/2021

Evie’s Story (continued)

Mom and Dad brought our family from lower class to middle class.  Thank You!  Mom was a secretary for 14 years, an executive secretary for 30 years, and worked at Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, and Herberger’s till she was 81.

Evie enjoyed buying stuff from QVC, a Home Shopping Network on TV.  “It’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.”  A Countryman’s way of life.  Ya sure you betcha.

We loved to make Mother Dear laugh.  Her quick giggle and good, hearty laugh made us want to laugh, too.  It’s great to hear Mother Dear laugh with pure enjoyment.  Sweet and precious memories.  It’s comforting to know Evie is just a thought away.

Mom’s wisdom:  Unless we have bad days, how can we appreciate the good days.  Take the good with the bad and have good thoughts.  Enjoy this day, see the best in it, and make the most of it.

Mom would praise me on our phone calls.  She would say, “Keep Up the Good Work and I Love You.”  Mother Dear always said, “On cloudy days, we need to create our own sunshine.  Create our own joy.”  The last words Mom told me:  “Find joy in everything.”  “I love you.”  Mother Dear wants us to live our life and be happy and have fun in this life.

Evie’s death came naturally.  Mother Dear always died on the front lawn in Laura’s home movies.  At Peace on March 13, 2021.  Evie was received into the welcoming arms of a loving Lord.  “I get to see Jesus’ face for the first time.  I have a new home, a wonderful place.  I can breathe again.” 

No sorrow, no night.  No sorrow in sight.  No worries.  No fears.  No ailments, no aches, no pains.  No crying, no tears in heaven.  Just smiles and blue skies where the flowers are in forever bloom.  Life is good.  God is good.  Life is short.  The next life is forever.

Let us remember her smiling, her laughing, her talking, her sharing, her caring, and her loving.  Lots of Love.  We thank you and we love you, Mom.  We thank you and we love

We were friends when I lived in MN. I tried my best to have her come visit me when I moved to Florida. No luck. She was so sweet and a true friend. I loved her hand made Christmas Cards! She was the Best friend Ever!❤️❤️

Evie was one of the greats!  I loved working with her at Herberger's, she was like family to us all.  Such a special person, she will never be forgotten.  

Our Dear Evie, one of the most strongest woman I know. Her wisdom was immense and her heart large. So many great memories. Her laugh, smile and sense of humor would always  light up a room. She was a trooper forging through everyday. She is my hero. I will miss her loving words of inspiration. Sending my love to  all of her family whom she loved dearly and always talked about. 

OBITUARIO

Evelyn Helen Countryman

29 junio, 1934 – 13 marzo, 2021

Gearhart Funeral Home

Muestre su apoyo

Comparta Un Recuerdo

Comparta
Un Obituario

Obtenga actualizaciones

Servicios