Stanley Evans

Stanley J. Evans, 71, of Libby, left this earth peacefully to join the angels in heaven on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, in the arms of his best friend and wife of 45 years.

He waited here on earth to share our anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 29, before he left us. He was surrounded by family and friends the last few days of his glorious life.

The son of Jesse and Mary (Gallagher) Evans, Stan was born on Sept. 8, 1943, in Seattle, Wash. His early education and high school was completed in Naches, Wash., where he cherished his fun times in the orchards and where he enjoyed the great outdoors with friends and his dad.

Stan attended Washington State University and became a Cougar in 1966 majoring in education; he treasured all of his fraternity brothers in the Alpha Gamma Rho house and always had a lot of mischievous stories to tell.

Stan began his teaching career at Park Jr. High in Kennewick, Wash.; he went on to achieve his master’s degree in counseling in 1967 from Eastern Washington University. He accepted his next educational position at Kamiakin High School as counselor in a new high school. He received his administrative credentials from Central Washington University in 1972. Then the search was on for an administrative position: He found that in 1972 in Libby and came as vice-principal. His first graduating class was 1973 – Stan was a guest speaker at their 40th class reunion last year. In 1974, he accepted the position of Libby High School principal and remained there until his retirement in 1998. He considered his years at LHS to be a wonderful experience in sharing his life and times with all of the students – the good and the bad. As a tribute to end his career, he rode his motorcycle down the halls of LHS after arriving early every morning for 26 years.

In 1967, he met the love of his life, Patty Hoerner, in Kennewick, Wash., at a Tri-Cities’ Desert Ski Club function. They were married at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Kennewick, Wash., on Nov. 29, 1969. On March 6, 1975, their first and only child was born, Jesse Evans. During his younger years, Jess would always ask, “Dad when are you going to graduate?”

Stan was known as the go-to guy. He could fix anything or figure it out. He truly was a jack of all trades and was also the on-call fixer handyman for friends and family. He was also a caregiver to Jesse for two years after Jesse’s accident in 1999. In his retirement years, he spent many hours renovating two homes like “This Old House.” He was a real craftsman, and the end result was something to be proud of.

Stan was a devoted family man who loved life, family reunions, fishing and floating the Kootenai River, as well as hunting the Cabinet Mountains with his buddies, Mike Funk, Bill Chalgren and brother-in-law Ron. Many days were spent camping on Lake Koocanusa, and Stan could be heard on the CB saying, “This is the Pattywagon! Anyone Out there?” We are all going to sorely miss that. Ask any of his friends or teachers, they will say, “Stan was a practical joker!” We never tired of hearing the many lively stories he would share about school events when he played undercover cop.

Stan was also a great entertainer singing his karaoke songs and showing off his bodily moves on the dance floor, especially Elvis. We are going miss “Montanastan” and “Stan the Man.” Over the last 10 years, fond memories were made as a snowbird: RVing, developing a palm tree oasis lot, and building a small casita in Yuma, Ariz., and sharing fun times with treasured friends and karaoke buddies.

The family will cherish forever the love and joy Stan brought to their lives and to the lives of hundreds of others he touched along the way. He was inspiration to everyone who knew him.

Stan was preceded in death by his father Jess in 2004 and mother Mary in 1987.  

Survivors include his wife, Patty (Hoerner) Evans of 45 years; son Jess; sister Marlene Kangas Cordano; brother-in-law Ron (Mary) Hoerner (Patty’s saviors during Stan’s end-of-life care) of Kennewick, Wash.; nieces Nicole Hoerner, Tara Kangas; nephew Andy Kangas of Portland; Tim (Jenny) Kangas in Cambodia; and many nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins.

The rosary and service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Libby, under the direction of Father Joseph. Everyone is welcome. Following will be a “Celebration of Life and Time to Share” at the Libby Elks Club, with a slide presentation.  

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to WINGS, PO Box 1160, Libby, MT 59923, or Home Options Hospice, 313 Montana Avenue, Libby, MT 59923. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.

Patty would like to thank the emergency room staff and infusion room nurses at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for the wonderful care given to Stan during the last few months.