Evelyn Longseth

Evelyn Bates Longseth, a teacher, volunteer, and long-standing member of the Longmont community, died Sunday July 10, 2016 surrounded by her beloved family. She was 92. Born on June 8, 1924 to Eland and Myrtle (Gardner) Bates, Evelyn grew up on a family farm southwest of Ames, Iowa. She attended Napier Consolidated School until the fall of 1940. Due to complications with asthma, Evelyn moved to Lyons, Colorado to live on her own at age 16. She boarded with a family there, worked a part-time job, and graduated in 1941. She attended CSU until 1943 when she returned home to Iowa. She taught high school for two years in Lacona, Iowa, and another two years in Ottosen, where she met J Longseth. Evelyn and J were married May 31, 1947 in Ames, Iowa. They farmed in Ottosen until 1951, then moved to the Bates family farm in Nevada. When Evelyn's asthma problems returned in 1958, the family moved to Longmont with their four children. Evelyn and J ran a local restaurant for several years. After selling the business, Evelyn worked for 15 years as a phone operator at Longmont United Hospital and seven years at Storage Tech. While her kids were growing up, Evelyn helped out in their classrooms, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H. Upon retirement, she volunteered at Spangler Elementary School and the Longmont United Hospital Auxiliary. Evelyn attended Bethlehem Lutheran Church since first moving to Longmont. In the years that followed, she actively participated in Sunday school and the women's program, quilting for Lutheran World Relief for many years. She also participated in Stephen Ministry. For the past 17 years, Evelyn lived at the St. Vrain Manor where she made dear friends and fostered a sense of community with her kindness and generosity.Preceding her in death are Evelyn's parents, four brothers (Elnathan, Eldon, Lloyd, and an infant brother), and two sisters (Roine Strother and Dorothy Gillett), a son (Paul Norman in 1949), and her husband J in 1996. Evelyn is survived by two sisters, Ruth Wherry of Carson City, Nevada and Mary (Edward) Pecoraro of San Diego, California, and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her children: Elaine (Stan) tken of Erie, Colorado; Jean (Gary) Jardine of Broomfield, Colorado; Marilyn (Glade) Bagnell of Longmont, Colorado; and Larry (Terry) Longseth of Longmont, Colorado; as well as her 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Evelyn considered her family as the greatest blessing in her life.Services will be held at 2 PM, Thursday, July 14 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Longmont. In lieu of flowers please consider a small donation to Bethlehem Lutheran Church in care of Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.