Evelyn Virginia Willms

Evelyn Virginia Willms

1919 - 2021

Evelyn Virginia Willms, 101, passed away peacefully at her home on the Willms family farm near Espanola, Wash., on Wed., April 7, 2021. She was born October 24, 1919 in Reardan, Wash.

On September 22, 1938, she married Albert Willms. She was a lifetime member of the St. John's Lutheran Church in Medical Lake, Wash., member of the Espanola Grange and Homemakers club. Evelyn and Albert farmed the Willms family farm with the majority of years running dairy milking cows until 1964, and then switching to beef cattle, and wheat farming until Albert's retirement in 1981. Evelyn was a true farm wife and kept busy cooking, canning, and helping with the cows. She always had a big garden and was known among the grandchildren and great-grandchildren for her strawberry jam! She remained at the farm until her death. Evelyn enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with family and friends. Her family meant the world to her. She could not have been more proud of her children, grandchildren, great children and great-great-grandchildren, hosting many holiday and family gatherings which included playing pinochle, rummy or games. One of her enjoyments was watching the Seattle Mariners.

Evelyn is survived by her son Marvin (Sally) Willms of Medical Lake, Wash. and daughter Gayle (Bob) Kirk of Pomeroy, Wash. 8 Grandchildren: Colleen and Steve Kirk of Medical Lake, Wash .; Kathleen and Tom Konis of Spokane, Wash .; Carolyn and Ty Lemaster of Liberty Lake, Wash .; Roger Willms and Ron Robinett of Sacramento, Calif .; Terri and Jim Koller of Pomeroy, Wash; Traci and Ron Cate of Okanogan, Wash .; Lori and Jeff Bartlow of College Place, Wash .; and Kelli and Scott Conrad of Kennewick, Wash., 18 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great grandchildren: Adelle Kirk and son Devone; Adrienne and Mark Benner and children Addison, Landon and Brooks; Rachel and Neil Diemert and children Madison, Gavin, Kaleb and Bostyn; Anna and Cory Gammon and children Parker and Lily; Naomi and Zach Proett and children Regan and Benjamin; Mary and Austin Snavely and son Theodore; Sarah and Luke Roberts and children Cash and Paisley; Dustin Lemaster; Nick and Ashley Koller and sons Kanin and Carson; Craig Koller; Karla and Phillip Luft and children Evelyn and Jace; Benny Cate, Brady Cate; Ellie Bartlow, Zach Bartlow, Nathan Bartlow; Kayla Conrad and Kennedy Conrad. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Albert Willms and great-great-grandson Andrew Proett.

A family burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. at Spokane Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 5909 Cheney Spokane Road, Spokane, Wash. prior to the memorial service at 1:00 pm, Sat., April 24th at St. John's Lutheran Church in Medical Lake. Due to COVID restrictions, this service will be for family and close friends. The family suggests memorials be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 223 S. Hallett, Medical Lake, WA 99022 or Horizon Hospice, 608 E. Holland Avenue, Spokane, WA 99218, or a charity of your choice.

Cheney Funeral Chapel, Cheney, WA. Online guest book at cheneyfuneral.com.