Marjorie Evans

Marjorie Evans was born in Henryetta, Oklahoma on August 19, 1927, to Ralph and Florence Schweikhardt. It wasn’t long before the family moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado and it was there that the family grew to include two younger brothers, Fred and George, and a younger sister, Shirley. Her dad called her his “little grease monkey” because she would follow around behind him when he worked on various autos in her grandfather’s repair shop in Old Colorado City. Marjorie was known to many by a few variations of her name, Margie, Marge, Mij, and she responded to all of them. She graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1946 (now Palmer) where she played cello in the school’s orchestra.

She worked in the Cosmetics department at Giddings Department store and did some modeling for them when she was 21. She once auditioned as an understudy for the actress/dancer Ann Miller and worked at Penrose Public Library for many years before retiring in 1975.

Always ready with a quick smile and a genuine laugh, Margie had a beautiful countenance which caught the eye of a nearby rancher’s son, Edward Evans, as he was visiting her now father’s auto shop in Old Colorado City. They barely spoke before Ed went into the Navy. More than 130 letters were exchanged across the miles and after his stint, they courted and became engaged, later marrying on Valentine’s Day in her grandparents’ parlor in 1947. She remained lifelong friends with her Maid of Honor Pat.

She and Ed were married 43 years, enjoying many trips together including fishing in Alaska, basking in the sun in Hawaii, gambling in Las Vegas and several road trips. One well-documented road trip was from Colorado Springs down to the Florida Keys and back. Ed took ill and passed in 1990 leaving Margie a widow at age 63. Ever the brightest penny in the bunch, Margie took the reins of her life and moved to a smaller, more manageable townhome where she regularly met her “gal pals” to play cards and dominos. She traveled with friends to Spain and rode riverboats down the Mississippi.

Although she never had children, she doted on her sister’s and friend’s children. Easily playing with her two-year old nephew’s new wagon (actually trying to ride in it) and then on another occasion playing a game of Twister while wearing a skirt with her nine-year old niece on Christmas day.

She was always elegant, gracious, charismatic, and flirty no matter her age.

Not too long ago, she celebrated her 90th birthday with a Hawaiian theme and since she could no longer travel to Hawaii, Hawaii came to her complete with inflatable palm trees. Her Maid of Honor, Pat, was there to help celebrate.

Welcoming her into heaven with loving arms are her parents, her two brothers, two nieces (Gloria Nicholson and Evelyn McGuire), and her most beloved husband, Ed. She is survived by her sister, Shirley Fallis; nieces Tammra Straub, Cindi Hammons, Carol Vaughn, Brenda Carpenter, Betty Harris, Alice Staples, Betty Keddington, Ellen Varhalla, Karen Dale, and Susan McDaniel; nephews Scott Fallis, Michael Schweikhardt, Ron Snowbarger, Gordon Snowbarger, and Fred Hiatt. There are also several great nieces and nephews.

She is profoundly missed by her family and many friends.

A Celebration of Life service is planned for March 14th, 2024, at 11:00am at East United Methodist Church, 1505 E. Monument St., Colorado Springs, CO 80909. Margie’s favorite colors were light blue and turquoise, so if you attend the service, feel free to wear either color. A private family interment will follow at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Margie’s honor to Silver Key Senior Services, Administrative Offices, 1625 S. Murray Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80916 or https://www.silverkey.org/donate