Evalene G. Kalous

Evalene G. Kalous, 99. Gillett, died early Sunday morning, February 10, 2019 at the Woodlands of Gillett.  She was born December 9, 1919 in Thurmont, MD to Charles and Bessie (Wastler) Recker.  As a small child, Evalene moved with her family to Iowa where she attended public schools, graduating from Yale High School with the class of 1939.

On June 3, 1939 she married Muryl Kalous in Perry, IA.  The couple lived in Yale for a short time before moving to Montana.  In 1948, the family moved to the Gillett area where they raised four children.  Evalene cooked at the Underhill Elementary School and later worked in the custodial department of the Gillett High School until retiring in 1982.  She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gillett where she was active in the mission quilting group, making 769 in just 8 years.  Evalene also belonged to the Gillett VFW Auxiliary and the Underhill Homemakers.  Her husband did woodworking and together they enjoyed attending craft shows where they could display their handiwork.  Music was also a big part of Evalene’s life and she was a founding member and sang in the praise band, Thurmont Ridge, named in honor of where she was born.

Survivors are her four children, Ron (Kathy) Kalous, Suring; David (Kathy) Kalous, Lakewood; Sharon Raatz, Nancy (Mike) Stark, all of Gillett; 12 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; two sisters, Betty (Robert) Carper, Irene Winters, all of Boone, IA; one brother-in-law, Duane Bandy; many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Muryl in 2005, an infant son Thomas, one sister, Audrey Bandy and son-in-law Mel Raatz on January 18, 2019.

Visitation will be held after 1pm Sunday, February 17, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Gillett until the time of service.  Funeral services will be held 3pm Sunday at the church with Pastor Kent Wallace officiating.  Burial will be in Christ Lutheran Cemetery, Hintz.