Evelyn Ruth White

Evelyn R. White passed away at her home on January 16, 2021, at the age of 97. She fell and broke her hip while trying to dance with the snowflakes a few days before she decided that her body was holding her back from her best steps. Evelyn had made all her arrangement decisions several years ago. Therefore, as per her wish, there will not be a funeral or any formal ceremony. Evelyn was born in LaCrescent, Minnesota, the youngest of 5 siblings. She attended college at Winona Teachers’ College where she earned her teacher's certificate. She then joined her older sister, Elizabeth, in Portland, Oregon to work in the shipyards, but was quickly recruited there to teach school. After WWII she got a teaching job in Bemidji and met Richard M. White of Park Rapids. They were married in 1946. Both were teachers. They lived and taught in Austin, Minnesota until 1984 when they retired to Richard’s family property on Long Lake. Evelyn was a very private person but she did share many stories of times as a Master Gardener, as a member of the Park Rapids Friends of the Library, Library Book Club, Park Rapids League of Women Voters, and a Cat Gramma. She played piano, sometimes sang in choirs, enjoyed embroidery, and in retirement, she learned to do watercolor painting. Her last kitty, Nutmeg, passed a week before Evelyn. In memory of Evelyn we encourage you to adopt a pet, raise your voices in joyful song at every opportunity, and dance - even if the walker is your only partner. In lieu of flowers donations would be appreciated to one of the following places: Headwaters Animal Shelter
901 Western Ave S. Park Rapids, MN 56470 [Phone: (218) 237-7100] Donation Form: Headwaters Animal Shelter Donation Form Long Lake Area Association Foundation (The LLAA Foundation works to keep Long Lake clean and healthy.) Gift to Honor Form: LLAA Gift to Honor Form CHI St. Joseph's Health, Hospice Care 600 Pleasant Ave Park Rapids, MN 56470 CHI St. Joseph’s Health Foundation Online Donations: https://chisjh.org/donate/