Evelyn Mary Buettner

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our mother and family matriarch, Evelyn Mary Buettner (nee Gueguen) on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Mom was 91 years old, a month and a half shy of her 92nd birthday.

Evelyn is survived by her children; Greg (Uta), Murray (Lucille), Neale, Kelly (Lynn) and Andrea. She leaves a legacy of seven grandchildren; Gabriel (Shelley), Adam (Jenn), Erika (Laren), Rylan (Sarah), Mason (Brittani), Amy (Nolan) and Rebecca, as well as eleven great-grandchildren; Chloe, Gemma, Avery, Cohen, Hudson, Annika, Aiden, Belle, Violet, Elora and Owen. She is survived by her son, Randy’s, life partner, Alisa, her sister, Vivian, her brother, Louis (Betty), her brothers and sisters-in-law; Vern (Marian), Eugene (Evy), Fay, Ann, Darlene, Janet and Joy. She is also survived by her friend and neighbour of 50+ years, Dorothy Williams.

She is predeceased by her husband and partner of 50 years, Alvin, who is probably getting her ice-cream right now, her son, Randy, her parents; Joesph and Mary Gueguen, her brother Alec and sister-in-law, Marie, her brother-in-law, Warren, Alvin’s parents; Albert and Mary, her brothers-in-law; Norbert, Albert, Leonard, Mark, David and Miles and her sister-in-law, Marion.

Mom was born on the family farm near Kermaria in the Lac Vert / St. Brieux district. She was the oldest child of Mary and Joseph Gueguen, and as such worked hard to help the family prosper. When she was young, she loved horses and playing baseball and often told her kids she could run like the wind.

She met the love of her life, Alvin Buettner at a pie social at Kermaria church. Dad bought Mom’s raisin pie for the chance to share that pie with her. After marrying her, he found out it was Grandma Gueguen that made the pie…not her. Mom and Dad were married on October 3, 1953 at that same church, Kermaria and had 50 years together partners in love and faith.

Greg was born in 1954, followed by Murray in 1957, Neale in 1958, Randy in 1959 and Kelly in 1961. Andrea joined the 5 boys in 1967. Mom dedicated herself to her family and raising that family by following Dad around the province as he built power lines for Sask Power. Mom and Dad lived in mobile trailers as their family grew from one boy to 5. Mom and dad and 5 boys under the age of 7 lived in a 21-foot trailer.

The family eventually moved into mom and dad’s first and only home together in Sutherland in 1962. Mom and Dad lived in that home, with mom only leaving this year in February. They were founding members of Holy Family Parish, first attending mass services in the school gym behind what would eventually become the church that they helped build and then attend for over 60 years.

While Dad was an active Knights of Columbus member, mom was an active member of Catholic Women’s League supporting the community and church life.

Faith and family were the cornerstones of our early years, with mom and dad instilling those values within all of us.

Mom was an avid gardener, planting a garden every year both in Saskatoon and out on the farm. Planting time was busy around the house, with all the family pitching in, but harvest meant picking and then pickling and canning to keep the family fed.

Dad worked hard to support the family, but mom took care of the family and our needs, which meant her sacrifice and incredible hard work. Mom and Dad took in borders and anyone needing a place to stay while in Saskatoon. She cooked, she cleaned, she washed and she provided a loving home for us as we grew.

Later in life, mom and dad babysat and helped to care for their grandkids, spoiling them rotten.

She loved roses and her lilacs still bloom in her backyard. Mom was an avid card player and was still playing crib and winning this year.

With mom’s passing, the family loses its guiding force, a force that we all knew not to push too far as her arm could stretch to reach the very back of the station wagon from the front seat to slap the boys apart when they were fighting.

Our mother lived a life of love and of faith and she will be deeply missed. Our family takes a great deal of solace knowing that she is back with Dad and with our brother, Randy as they wait for the family circle to be joined once again.