EVELYN KATHERINE ROBERTSON (née: Schwab)

May 27th, 1934 – January 28th, 2024

It is with heavy hearts the family announces the passing of Evelyn Katherine Robertson aged 89 years of Moose Jaw, SK, at the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, surrounded by her family throughout her last day on Sunday, January 28th, 2024.

Evelyn was born in Scott, SK on May 27th, 1934, to Andrew and Mary Schwab.  She grew up on the family farm near Revenue, SK in the Tramping Lake District near Wilkie.  Evelyn had two brothers, Ken and Ron and two stepbrothers, Edwin and Fred from her stepmother Frieda.  Evelyn graduated high school in Revenue and worked in the General Store at Scott, SK while still living and helping on the family farm.

At that time, a handsome young man from Avonlea, SK named Ken Robertson arrived, working on an elevator building crew.  After a short courtship, they were married in Regina, SK on May 21st, 1955.  They continued on with the crew, living in a camper, moving from town to town, with Evelyn becoming the camp cook.  They moved on to owning a general store in Arbury, SK and then the B.A. Service Station in Belle Plaine, SK.  They lived in Pilot Butte, SK for a short time and then a few years in the early 60’s in Avonlea, SK.  By this time, they were blessed with four of their five children – Gwen, Shelly, Lonnie, and Kenny.  

Ken secured employment with the CN in Regina, so the family moved back to the city.  While there, Evelyn helped her mother-in-law, Lillian, at her boarding house, as well as working at Rainbow Laundry.  During this time, Jeff was born, and they then decided to open their own home for room and board to a half dozen young working men, two of whom became their future sons-in-law.  In the summer of 1975, they decided it was time to get out of the city and they moved back to Avonlea to stay.

Over the years, Evelyn worked a variety of jobs including waitressing at the Blue Hills Cafe, various cleaning jobs, cashier at Pat’s Food Town, and finally as a meat department clerk at the Red & White store.  After retirement Evelyn and Ken enjoyed looking after their large yard and garden and spending time with family and friends.  Ken passed away in July of 2002.

Evelyn was an excellent cook.  Family favourites were her cabbage rolls, scalloped potatoes, and chicken noodle soup.  She baked buns that seemed to turn out perfect every time, and her desserts were unmatched – from cinnamon buns to Nanaimo bars, to her family famous graham wafer cake.  Others have tried to duplicate her recipes but have never been successful.  She was also a talented seamstress, best known for her tradition of making Christmas pajamas for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren every year.  Evelyn was incredibly proud of her nine grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.  Each possess some of their Grandma’s characteristics and her legacy will live on through them.  

Evelyn loved sports and she played ball from childhood into her 40’s.  She enjoyed watching all sports including baseball, hockey, curling, volleyball, and basketball.  She especially enjoyed watching her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids play.  If she wasn’t cooking or watching sports, she was reading, everything from cookbooks to romance novels.  She was very musical, teaching herself how to play guitar and sing along with The Carter Family, Kitty Wells and Patsy Cline on the radio, and she loved The Statler Brothers.  

Evelyn was a woman of strong faith.  She loved Jesus and was very devoted to her prayer time.  She often said that her prayers and faith were the only things that got her through the tough days.  The Serenity Prayer had a spot on her wall no matter where she lived.  Evelyn was an active member of the Avonlea United Church and later the Avonlea Free Methodist Church.

Evelyn lived with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia for over 22 years.  This also led to suffering from chronic kidney disease.  Her health conditions led to her decision to move to The Bentley in Moose Jaw in 2018.  She thrived there for the past five years, surviving not only the pandemic, but also a heart valve replacement and pacemaker surgery.  In November though, health complications led to hospital stays in both the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional and Regina General Hospitals.  After recovering as well as possible, Evelyn spent December at Pioneer Lodge and then most of January at Moose Jaw Personal Care Home.  Returning health issues caused her to be hospitalized the morning of January 28th.  She passed away later that evening after being surrounded by family throughout the day.  

The family would like to thank Denise, Shelby, Gloria, Lana, and the rest of the staff at The Bentley Retirement Community in Moose Jaw.  You all helped Evelyn enjoy where she lived.  She always said there was no place she’d rather be.

We would also like to thank all the health professionals that provided care for Evelyn at Moose Jaw EMS, Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital, Regina General Hospital, Pioneer Lodge Care Home, and Moose Jaw Personal Care Home.  In a system that is pushed well beyond its limits, dedicated people continued to shine and provide outstanding care.

The Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 10th, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at Moose Jaw Funeral Home with Neil Alexander officiating.  Those not able to attend may view the service virtually by going to www.moosejawfuneralhome.com/webcast/.  As an expression of sympathy, donations in Evelyn’s name may be made to a charity of one’s choice.  Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane.  Gary McDowell, Funeral Director 306-693-4550