Evelyn Mortenson
Evelyn Isabella Della Smith Mortenson, 84, a lifetime resident of Lincoln County, died Tuesday, April 25, 2006, at her home in Troy.
She was born in Libby to John and Della Warner Smith on March 18, 1922. The family lived in Libby until moving to Coram when Evelyn was 5. She attended grades one through five at Coram while her dad and brothers worked on the famous Going-to-the-Sun Highway in Glacier National Park.
In 1933, the family returned to Libby; in August of that year, her mother died. Evelyn attended school in Libby from the fifth grade through her sophomore year and then moved to Troy where she lived with Elizabeth Moberly while working in a restaurant. Evelyn graduated from Troy High School in 1941.
On March 29, 1941, Evelyn and Cecil Mortenson were married in Troy. They moved to Libby where they made their home for the next 16 years and where their daughters, Marilyn and Sandra, were born. In 1957, the family returned to Troy, remaining for the next 20 years until Cecil and Evelyn retired and returned to Libby.
Besides raising her own family, Evelyn was a caregiver for her mother-in-law Hannah, her uncle Herb Warner, grandmother Sarah Crippen and anyone else who needed her.
In June 1989, Cecil died following 48 years of marriage.
Four years later, Evelyn returned to Troy, living in her cozy home near her daughter Marilyn. She devoted herself to her family, fixing a home-cooked lunch for her grandson Cecil most every weekday and keeping an eye on the family's golden retrievers.
Evelyn enjoyed making braided rugs, ceramics, embroidery, gardening, and watching softball, basketball and football games in Troy. A baker extraordinaire, Evelyn's pies were a legend; at one church auction, one of her pecan pies went for $60. Evelyn loved cooking for anyone who dropped by at meal times.
Survivors include her children, Marilyn McDougall and fiance Leslie Ferguson of Troy and Sandra Burk and husband Frank of Reno, Nev.; her grandchildren, Cecil McDougall, Heather McDougall, Stacy Dogal and Tab Burk; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Evelyn was also preceded in death by her brothers, Hank, Dick and Bill Smith and her son-in-law, Fred McDougall.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to the wonderful home health care nurses and staff and especially to Carol Spas and Connie Boyd for their love and support.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 5, at Troy United Methodist Church followed by a reception in the church fellowship room. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at the City of Libby Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Nelson & Vial Funeral Home.