THOUGHTS OF EVANGELINE

She was small in stature, but mighty and determined in spirit. She had three priorities: God, family, and country.

Like her mother before her, Evangeline Buchert loved taking something old and seemingly useless — like an old chair, or an old empty shell of a house in Wauconda, and bring new life to it. This restored house became their mountain ranch and home. It was wonderful having them just a field away.

But even more important than that, I got to spend many hours sitting somewhere in a truck with her, waiting for cowboys to finish the job at hand.

Evangeline and I spent a lot of that time talking, praying, and laughing. She would share a concern with me, and I would tell her that “Jesus is the answer!” We would pray about it, and along the way her faith and trust in God grew.

Evangeline loved her family — her kids and her grand kids. Her home, where ever it was, always had lots of pictures of her loved ones and friends.

I remember after “mom and dad” were living at Wauconda, that Okanogan County changed the name of our road from Summer Road to Cemetery Road. None of us liked that at all! We didn’t want to have “cemetery” in our address! So Evangeline fought and won! It is still “Summer Road” today, with an extra sign that points up the road toward the cemetery. She knew how to take the bull by the horns!

Evangeline was always ready to have family or friends over to visit. And she could be dressed and busy at ranch work, and that evening be all dressed up and ready for whatever the occasion. And she was always ready to be swept off her feet by her husband, friend, and lover, and dance around in Ed's arms to their own music.

What a wonderful lady! She was my dear friend, and adopted mom. She raised four great, loving children, who have always made me feel welcome, loved, and part of the family.

As Ed and Evangeline’s family multiplied, so did their love — NO DIVISION there!

They will be remembered “together” once again, just like they always were!