Dorothy Madeline Davis Evans passed away on Thursday, April 14, 2016. Dorothy was born on August 20, 1923, in Caliente, Nevada, the fourth child of Charles B. and Madge Marie Davis. Norma, Bob, Phyllis and Dorothy grew up in towns and cities servicing the Union Pacific Railroad where Charles was an engineer.
In her early years she moved to southern California and later to Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended West High School where she was the valedictorian of her class and was graduated from the University of Utah, majoring in English.

She taught West High School upon graduation and married Roland T. Evans in 1944 just prior to his assignment as a pilot flying over Germany and Italy in WWII.

Upon his release from the service, the couple moved to Palo Alto, California, where Roland attended Stanford University and Dorothy had their first ever child, Annabelle.
Upon graduation they moved to Malad City, Idaho, where Roland became manager of the Evans Co-Operative Company and served on the board of several banks. They were blessed with two additional children Roland, Jr., and Margaret.

Motherhood served Dorothy well as she raised her children. Her family was only part of this woman’s activities. She was active in the Presbyterian Church and a substitute teacher in the Oneida County schools. She provided purchasing talent in the department store, guiding the inventory selection in the women’s and children’s departments. Her work included significant support on the family ranches.

Her primary focus, however, was on the education of her children. When each child presented the dreaded report card, they were asked, “did you do the best that you could?” That eight-word sentence was carried forward by each of her children, spawning the success of her grandchildren. Her children and grandchildren are all college graduates with many earning advanced degrees. The smile on her face widened each time a degree was earned.

An avid golfer, Dorothy took up the sport in the 50s. Each child learned to golf and she always provided a supporting word regardless of a shot’s outcome. Despite the arrival of younger golfers, Dorothy remained an ardent fan of Arnold Palmer, highlighted on the day she served him a glass of water on the 7th hole of Quail Lodge Golf Course in Carmel, California, where they owned a condominium. She played regularly, often with her grandchildren. … but, as she laughed, never improved. Her final round was played with her son and his wife in 2007.

If asked of her children, what do you remember the most about your other, “Homemade rolls and bread laden with butter and honey; greasy, delicious fried chicken; lemon cream pies, coconut cream pies and chocolate cakes. She put on a spread that never quit! But her most endearing quality was that she was always there for us.”

She is survived by her children, Annabelle (Blaine) Nye of Menlo Park, California; Roland Jr. (Terri) Evans of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho; Margaret (John) Storch of Newport Beach, California. She is survived by eleven grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, all her parents, four siblings, a grandchild and a great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Oneida School District 351 Education Foundation, Inc., 240 W. 400 N., Malad City, ID 83252-1115.