Evelyn Walen

July 4, 1929 – December 18, 2013

Evelyn Grace (Betty) Walen Friesen was born on July 4, 1929 in a cabin in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada to Ruth Overland Bye and Alfred Ray Skelton Bye. The family homesteaded in the Peace River area of Alberta and later moved to Edmonton, where Betty began school. In 1944 the family moved to Oregon. Betty graduated from Corvallis High School. In 1948 Betty married Norris Walen and raised five children on a cherry farm in West Salem. She began her painting career as a member of the “Window Gallery” in Salem where she participated in group and one-man shows and was taught by Northwest artists Nelson Sandgren, Demetrius Jameson and Carl Hall. After becoming a single parent, Betty graduated from Western Oregon State College with a teaching certificate, worked for Salem School District, and began her 20 year career as a Social Worker with the State of Oregon, working in Pendleton, Hermiston, and Newport. Betty met Hal Friesen in 1978 and they were happily married for almost 30 years. In Newport, they built a beautiful home overlooking the ocean complete with an art studio and greenhouse. After retiring in 2005 they returned to Salem. Betty’s creativity flowed through her paintings, her displays at her “Remember When” antique shop, her well-tended gardens, and in unique objects artfully displayed throughout their home. Betty inspired her family to work hard, create and appreciate beauty, and to love unconditionally. She was kind, gentle, elegant, gutsy, funny, encouraging, a good listener, and a beautiful light that will continue to glow in our lives. Survivors include husband Hal Friesen of Salem; daughters Mary (Robert) Chesley, Diane (Jerry) Munson, both of Salem, Nina (Ralph) Rowland of Kirkland, WA; sons OngKar Ken Walen and Robert (Linda) Walen both of Eugene; stepdaughter Margie (Fred) Eldridge; brothers Raymond Bye of Fort Smith, NWT, Canada, and Robert Bye of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren Laura, Katie, Erica, Heather, Holly, Sage, Amy, Andrew, Jessica, Miranda, Jordan, Mackenzie, Taylor; ten great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, and grand-dog Bailey. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Marion-Polk Food Share (1660 Salem Industrial Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97301 or www.marionpolkfoodshare.org). Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 25 at 925 Commercial St. SE, Suite 220, Salem, OR.

Burial arrangements under the direction of Belcrest Memorial Park.