Evelyn C. Edwards

Evelyn Schueler was born on September 4, 1923 in Velva, North Dakota to Jacob Schueler and Katie Mittlieder. She grew up on the family farm, graduating from Velva High School in 1942. Following graduation, she attended business school in Minot for a short time and worked as a sales clerk at an exclusive Minot women’s clothing store.

Evelyn’s adventurous spirit lead her to Milwaukee, WI., where she worked as an assembler and lived the big city life. During this time Evelyn met Kenneth Lambert and on September 15, 1942 they married. Two children were born to this union, Michael and Karen. In 1946 they divorced and Evelyn along with her two young children returned to North Dakota.

Evelyn’s passions were sales and people. She demonstrated this with her success in selling clothes, insurance and real estate, finding her niche in selling cookware. She held numerous cookware parties, cooking complete meals for guests, and selling countless sets throughout the state of North Dakota, earning her the nickname “Pots & Pans”. On November 17, 1955 she married her second husband, Thomas Edwards, and made their home on a farm near Killdeer and later in Bismarck and Minot. Two children were born to this union, Joan and James. Evelyn continued in sales earning numerous awards and trips to Hawaii and other far away destinations for her high sales and quotas. In 1969 Evelyn and Tom divorced.

After her divorce, Evelyn ventured up the ALCAN Highway to Anchorage, Alaska. There she reestablished the family home and her business. She continued selling cookware for a short time and then began selling Niagara therapy message equipment. She traveled throughout Alaska selling Niagara at fairs, tradeshows as well as her showroom in Anchorage. A few years after retiring, she sold her home in Anchorage and moved to the Chugiak Senior Center. After a stroke in 2008 she moved back to Anchorage to reside at Providence Horizon House.

Evelyn enjoyed fishing, visiting with friends and family, traveling, playing cards, listening to music, painting and bingo. She was always up for a fishing trip, either at the stream or on a charter, never tiring from the long day.

Throughout her life, Evelyn made friends touching many lives with her sense of humor and adventurous spirit. She will be remembered for her encouragement to stay committed to what it is you have the passion to do, no matter how hard it becomes, or how much resistance you get. Always try to achieve your dreams.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Michael Lambert of Novato, CA, Karen Smalley of Missoula, MT, Joan Kulish and her husband Andrew of Anchorage, AK and James Edwards and his girlfriend Linda, Everett, WA; brother William Schueler and his wife Nell of Athens, AL, sister Esther Smith of Monroe, WA, sister-in-law Cornella Schueler of Yuma, AZ; twelve grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, three step-great grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter; and several other relatives and friends. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, brother Herbert, and a granddaughter.

A celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2012 in the chapel at Providence Horizon House, 4140 Folker Street, Anchorage. Family and friends are welcome.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 7 at Purdy & Kerr with Dawson Funeral Home, 409 West Main Street, Monroe, WA with visitation one hour prior to the time of service. Internment to follow at Monroe IOOF Cemetery, 21714 Old Owen Road, Monroe, WA. Visitation will be at Purdy & Kerr Funeral Home on Friday, January 6, 2012, 4:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

Contribution can be made in Evelyn’s memory to Providence Hospice, 3435 E Tudor Road, Anchorage, AK 99507 or CaringBridge www.caringbridge.org/donate Donation Processing Center, PO Box 6032, Albert Lea, MN 56007.

Evelyn’s family would like to thank Drs. Noah Laufer, Richard Anschuetz, Leland Jones, Louann Feldman and Jean Snyder for their care. There are not enough words to express our appreciation to the Home Instead and Hospice Staff for their compassion and care. And finally, to the Horizon House staff, thank you for the love and kindness that was showered every day while she was in your care. Each and everyone one of you are angels in disguise.

Arrangements under the direction of Purdy & Kerr with Dawson Funeral Home, Monroe, WA.