Evelyn McGrath

McGrath Evelyn McGrath, age 88, of Columbia Heights, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 13, at Unity Hospital in Fridley, following a brief illness. McGrath was a retired teacher who taught elementary school for 35 years. She taught at public schools in Cambridge, MN; Petosky, MI; Minneapolis, and concluded her career after spending many years teaching at Northrop Collegiate School (now part of The Blake School) in Mpls. Evelyn attended Braham School and graduated from then St. Cloud State Teachers College with an Education degree. She also took graduate courses at The University of Minnesota. She was a long time resident of Columbia Heights, Innsbruck Parkway community and purchased one of the very first homes built there where she still resided at the time of her death. She was extremely popular with generations of her neighbors in the Innsburck area and beloved for her unceasing generosity, kindness and genuine regard for others. Through confined to a wheelchair for the past six years, she maintained her sense of humor and love of life, family, friends and sports. She was a devoted Twins, Vikings and Gophers fan, never missing a broadcast game. She was preceded in death by her parents, Oscar Olson Sr. & Emma Olson of Braham; by husband, James W. McGrath, the well-known former Vice President and Genral Manager of Hubert W. White's men's store in Mpls.; and by her first husband, Rueben Johnson, the former football coach at North High School in Mpls.; by her sister, Margaret Byrne of Birmingham, MI; brother, Oscar A. (Sonny) Olson Jr. of Braham & his wife Dawn Olson; daughter, Mara McGrath Bitros of New York City; sister-in-law, Dorene Olson of Boca Raton; brother-in-law, Vern Johnson of Mpls.; sister-in-law & brother-in-law, Inez & Oscar Hagstrom of Mpls. Evelyn is survived by loving family members including brother, George Olson of Boca Raton, FL; son, Dennis B. McGrath of St. Paul & his wife Betsy Buckley; nieces, Barbara Olson Zankl of Boca Raton, Julie Morrison of St. Paul, Kathleen Henry of Okemas, MI & Lisa Olson of Washington, D.C.; nephews, Scott Olson of Mpls., Mark Olson & Tim Olson of Boca Raton, Todd Olson of Seattle, Lee Johnson of Mora, MN & Lynn Johnson of San Diego; and many great nieces and great nephews. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Ruth Johnson of Mpls; son-in-law, James Bitros of New York City; grandchildren, Daniel McGrath & Amy McGrath of Mpls., & Felix Buckley-Jones of St. Paul;l and great-grandchildren, Danny & Sean Erickson of Mpls. Reviewal Monday, Feb. 18, 9:00 AM, followed by a 10:00 AM memorial service at the Billman-Hunt Funeral Chapel, 2701 Central Ave NE, Mpls. Memorials preferred to the Animal Humane Society in Evelyn's name and the name of her beloved dog, Molly. Interment in Rice Lake Cemetery, Braham, MN. Billman-Hunt Chapel 612-789-3535