Evelyn passed away at the age of 91 at the Bethany Collegeside in Red Deer on Friday,
September 22, 2017, 18 days after the death of her beloved husband and life partner of
over 58 years, Art Russell.
She was born in Bisbee, North Dakota, the second daughter of Edward and Nellie Berg.
She was predeceased by her parents, Art (husband), Frances Moore (sister), Don Berg
(brother) and many extended family members both young and old. She will be lovingly
remembered by her brother Ed (Bonnie) Berg, her sister in law Gail Berg, brother in law
Don (Sandra) Russell and numerous nieces and nephews as well as great and great great
nieces and nephews, cousins and friends in Canada and the United States.
Evelyn attended many schools during her education, as her family moved numerous
times in Alberta and she made a host of lifelong friends along the way. She was a proud
and valued employee of the CIBC for 38 years and enjoyed the opportunity to provide
genuine customer service. Evelyn was revered for her memory of details about family
and life events until vascular dementia robbed her of many of her impressive cognitive
abilities. She was gifted with creativity and loved to share her handiwork which
included: knitting; crocheting; paper toule and cross stitch projects. Many projects were
completed with her mother and sister. Numerous family and friends have been
fortunate enough to have received at least one personalized cross stitch birthday,
graduation or anniversary card.
Evelyn was a devoted wife, a faithful caregiver to her mother and mother in law, a
loving and supportive sister and sister in law and a proud auntie and great auntie. She
was nurturing, altruistic, and giving. She was also a family historian who kept dozens of
photo albums filled with pictures of family and friends and clippings from newspapers
about weddings, funerals and important events. Evelyn was a trusted navigator (but Art
was the chauffeur), a gardener, a great baker (we will miss her pumpkin pies), a canner
of juice, beets, jellies and jams, an interested and good neighbor and a reliable
volunteer especially with the PARTY program. She loved ice cream, the color purple,
puzzles, Danielle Steele novels, pin curls and Art’s home perms. Evelyn also loved a
parade. Art and Eve regularly attended the annual Ponoka parade. They also loved going
on road trips in the Alaskan camper and later in the motorhome, time at the farm, and
meeting friends for breakfast at A&W and afternoon coffee at McDonalds or at Bower
Place. Most of all Evelyn loved any family function, especially if there was cake!
Evelyn and Art were like two peas in a pod. They were humble, respectful, generous
and unassuming. The loss of her beloved Art was too much for Evelyn’s heart to bear.
The family finds comfort in knowing that Evelyn is now reunited with her Artie for
eternity.
Heartfelt thank you to the local family for the love and support of Evelyn and Art as their
health declined over recent years. Also sincere gratitude to all of the caring staff of unit
B2 and to volunteers: Carol T, Pat H and Lynn F for being with Auntie Evelyn to the end.
In memory of Evelyn, please give someone you love a hug and a kiss.
Please join us for the celebration of Evelyn’s life on Tuesday, October 3, 2017. Relatives
and friends are invited to the visitation at 10:00 a.m. service to follow at 11:00 a.m. with
the Interment to follow at Alto Reste Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Parkland
Funeral Home and Crematorium, 6287 – 67A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer, Alberta.
403-340-4040.

• Date : 2017-09-22
• Location : Red Deer