Evelyn Elizabeth Schaller

Evelyn Elizabeth Schaller passed away on October 12, 2023 in her adopted hometown of Lakewood, Colorado after a short series of health complications. She was 95. Though we mourn the loss of this woman who loved God and her family, we rejoice to know she is forever with the Lord.

Evelyn was the second of four kids born to Elizabeth and Albert Rausch in tiny Jenera, Ohio, where the family lived on a farm with, among other things, cows, hay, and no running water. Elizabeth died when Evelyn was just 12 years old, so the kids grew up with the guidance of their father, their extended family, the Trinity Lutheran Church community, and each other.

They sang to pass the time as they washed the dishes, and Evelyn and her younger sister Carolyn made their own clothes—often matching so they looked like twins.

Evelyn fell in love with Richard (Dick) William Schaller, also of Jenera, when she was just 10 years old. Sure enough, she married him 12 years later in 1950 in a double wedding with Carolyn—in matching gowns that they made themselves.

Eileen was born the following year, and Ron two years after that. Joel arrived in 1959. Later that year, the Schaller family packed up their 1952 Chevy and a trailer and headed west to Colorado along with their cousins and lifelong friends, the von Stein family, to pursue new opportunities.

They joined Bethlehem Lutheran Church as soon as they arrived and lived with gracious cousins Monty and Margaret Wilch until Dick found work and they could move into a home of their own in Lakewood. They welcomed the baby of the family, Jane, in 1964.

People always asked Evelyn how she stayed so sharp and independent for so long, and she’d answer, “chocolate,” or “I don’t know, I don’t do much.”

But the truth is, she did so much in her 95 years, and faith and family were at the center of it all.

She attended Bethlehem for the rest of her life, where she participated in Bible study, spent more than 20 years cooking lunches for the school kids, and was a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League.

She cooked Sunday brisket for her grown kids and their growing families while the Broncos played on the big box TV downstairs.

She was a stunning example of courage, grace, and strength when Dick died in 1991, and she had to learn how to manage finances, put gas in the car, and live by herself for the first time in her life.

She was at peace, and content with her life. No matter the obstacle—her eyesight, her mobility—she kept moving forward.

She was very generous and rarely offered advice, but always offered encouragement. One memorable saying that sticks with us: “Don’t worry about things you can’t change.”

She drove with her left foot on the brake and her right foot on the gas, and only recently finished a bottle of dandelion wine that she made in 1985.

She kept a reliable supply of Crunch ice cream bars in the freezer in case grandkids stopped by.

She enjoyed weekly lunches and card games with her daughters, daughter-in-law, and granddaughters.

She baked the best pies.

She offered endless wisdom, often unintentionally funny. To various family members hobbled by sports injuries: “It don’t hurt if you don’t use it.” She never played sports or had a single injury, so it was tough to argue.

Though we will miss her dearly, we’ll never stop hearing her voice or her infectious laugh.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her mother and father, beloved husband Dick, older brother Norman, younger sister Carolyn, and many treasured relatives and friends.

She is survived by her brother James and children Eileen (Tim), Ron (Teresa), Joel (Denise), and Jane (Randy). Fourteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren also were blessed to know her.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. MT on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 2100 Wadsworth Blvd., Lakewood. A special thank you to Agape Hospice for the responsive, compassionate care they provided Evelyn and her family. Donations may be made to Bethlehem Lutheran School.