Lola Daniels Evans

JANUARY 30, 1927 – MAY 19, 2015

The angels cheered and the band played as Lola D. Evans walked into the arms of her beloved husband in heaven. Former First Lady of Idaho, Lola Daniels Evans, peacefully passed away at her Boise home on May 19, 2015. Our beautiful, feisty mother left this earth as she lived her life: on her own terms, enjoying herself to the very end. Lola was born to her loving parents, Luther O. and Ida Elizabeth Ward Daniels in Malad City, Idaho on Jan. 30, 1927. She lived a happy childhood with her parents, her two sisters, An-nie and Kay, and her three brothers, Dan, Jess, and Eldon. She surrounded herself with a fun loving group of friends and family. She and best friend, Sally Tapper Thomson, shared many an adventure growing up in Malad. Lola graduated from Malad High School and attended Utah State University. Lola married her high school sweetheart, John Victor Evans, on April 29, 1945, while he was home on leave from the Army during World War II. They planned their wedding in three days before John shipped overseas. John and Lola were the storybook couple: a beautiful high school cheerleader, a handsome all star athlete. Lola was gifted with her own athletic ability and performed as a tumbler. She often told the story of her father’s boast to her father-in-law: “If Lola hadn’t gotten injured, she’d be touring the world!” Luckily that injury didn’t prevent her abundant life adventures, including travel to many parts of the world. At the end of World War II, Lola and John moved to Palo Alto, California where John attended Stanford University. Lola loved her time at Stanford where she gave birth to her oldest son, David L. Evans. After John graduated, they returned to Malad where John joined his father and brothers in running the family farms and Evans Co-Op. Children, John Jr., Martha, Susan and Tom, completed their family with Lola lovingly providing a beautiful home and fun life. She appreci-ated enjoying time with her in-laws Don and Demona Evans, and their children. When John was elected Idaho state senator at the age of 27, Lola proudly assumed a series of titles that also provided her purpose and acclaim: state senator’s wife, mayor’s wife, lieutenant governor’s wife, and ultimately First Lady of Idaho. She was John’s equal partner as they diligently won elections. They worked very hard to obtain their goals, but they also celebrated their successes with a degree of giddy excitement over their good fortune. Lola said she pinched herself every time she visited the White House; she, Lola Daniels Evans, was at the White House! They were fortunate to travel to many parts of the world including Europe, China, Russia, Japan, Egypt, and South America. As First Lady of Idaho, she established her own agenda and worked tire-lessly to promote childhood immunizations. She also opened the Governor’s House to civic and non-profit organizations for their own events. Always the quintessential hostess, she was known for both her culinary and hospitality talents. Her family was blessed with a wonderful mother and grandmother. Her intelligence and quick wit were appreciated by all her family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren at Burley, Boise and her beloved Dempsey Creek. John and Lola built a beautiful cabin, which John nicknamed, “Lola’s Lovely Lodge.” They claimed to build it to enjoy their senior years, but the truth is they built it to hold their flourishing family. Her family is so grateful for the example she provided of ultimate class and exuberance for life. Lola was appointed by Gov. Cecil Andrus to the Idaho Housing and Finance Association Board. She was a member of Eastern Star, American Legion Auxiliary, Idaho LegisLadies, Booth Memorial Hospital Advisory Board, the Carefree Bridge Club, the Famous Malad Egg La-dies, Malad Women’s Bowling League and bridge clubs in Burley. Too numerous to name are other civic, city, state and national organizations on which she served throughout her lifetime. She is survived by her brother Jess W. Daniels, her children, David L. Evans (Marian), John V. Evans, Jr.(Karen), Martha Evans Gilgen (Brent), Susan Evans Scarlett (Paul), Thomas D. Evans (Candice), fifteen grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. Lola is also survived by brother-in-laws Don S. Evans, Sr., Royce Jones, and Wayne Williams, sisters-in-law Demona Evans and Betty Daniels, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Gov. John V. Evans, parents, Luther O. and Ida Daniels, sisters Anna Lou Jones and Kathleen Ida Williams and brothers Dan O. Daniels and Eldon Ward. The family expresses their appreciation to Alexis Thiel, Brenna Kreglo, Melissa Meyers, Priscilla Wiedenman, Chelsea Barnes, and Charlotte Brown of 24/7 Idaho Home Care and Erica Blessinger and staff of St. Lukes Hospice for their excellent care and attention. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to any Idaho public school, college or university, Oneida County Education Foundation, or a charity of your choice. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 22, at 1:00 p.m. in the Malad LDS 2nd Ward Chapel, 20 S. 100 W., Malad, Idaho. Friends may visit with the family at the church Thursday evening from 6-7p.m. and Friday from 11:30a.m.-12:45p.m. Burial will follow in the Malad City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.horsleyfuneralhome.com.