Gosh, we will miss her! Evelyn Garber Rowlette, age 93, returned home to her Heavenly Father and to her beloved husband on Tuesday, October 29, 2019, in Delta, Utah. Raised during the Great Depression, she never forgot to be grateful for what she had. She expressed gratitude for God, family, good neighbors, health, sunsets, false teeth, friends, strangers, the years she had with her husband, good books, old movies, opportunities and even meetings.
She was known for her welcoming attitude and her wisdom. She found beauty everywhere: in over-ripe pears, Utah sunsets, crashing breakers on the Oregon Coast and people of all ages. She found music in the wind that blows through walnut trees and in the deep growl of thunder.
Evelyn was born on January 16, 1926 in Murray, Utah to Reid and Eleanor Hofling Garber, but grew up in the beautiful Willamette Valley in Oregon. It was there she met and married John Harvey Rowlette, her eternal companion, on September 5, 1942. Shortly after the birth of their first child, he was drafted and served during World War II. When he came home from Europe, Evelyn and Harvey were sealed for time and all eternity in the Cardston, Alberta LDS Temple. They had eight children, who were raised in Oregon and Delta.
Evelyn was proud of being a stay-at-home mother and enjoyed reading, playing and working with her children. The family loved vacationing on the Oregon Coast and in the mountains of Oregon and Utah. She was very active in Church, serving as a counselor and then president in the Primary, Mutual, and Relief Society organizations. She also taught in Sunday School.
In 1969, Evelyn and Harvey moved to Delta and although she had limited experience in the floral business, she took a leap of faith and opened the Delta Floral Shop, which she operated successfully for 27 years. She loved working with flowers and making beautiful arrangements as well as meeting and working with a variety of people. From 1989 to 1990, she and her husband were privileged to serve a temple mission in Australia, and she enjoyed her experience there. She enjoyed making afghans for family and friends and was willing to serve others in whatever way was needed.
Evelyn is survived by her children: Lorraine (Art) Jeffery, John (Vivian) Rowlette, Mark (Lorraine) Rowlette, David (Donna) Rowlette, Renee (Marty) Backer, Sharon Griffiths and Roger Rowlette; 31 grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren and 21 great-great grandchildren; and her sister: Lela. She is preceded in death by her husband: Harvey; son: Wayne; siblings: Della Fox, Sam Garber, Winona Buck and Aaron Garber; also a grandson, a granddaughter and two great-grandsons.
Evelyn lived a wonderful and blessed life and will be missed by all who knew her. She passed away as she wished – peacefully in her own home, attended by family.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 9, at 11:00 am, at the Delta 1st Ward LDS Chapel, 222 West 200 North. Viewings will be held on Friday evening, 7-8 pm, at the Nickle Mortuary; and Saturday, 9:30-10:40 am, prior to the service. Burial will be in the Delta City Cemetery.