Evelyn Bathke

Evelyn Mae Bathke passed away peacefully at home in Dallas, Oregon, on August 20th, 2025.

Evelyn was born on October 9th, 1932, in Inman Township, Minnesota. Evelyn was born to Ernest E. Jenkins. and Alice J. Jenkins (nee Waldo). Evelyn was one of six children, including her older siblings Earl and Mary, and her younger siblings, Lucille, Irene, and Ralph. Evelyn's earliest years were spent with the family following her father's search for work during the Great Depression. Ernest worked in logging camps, milking cows, and other jobs.

Eventually, Ernest obtained a job in Lewiston, Idaho, working on a job with the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was created to help provide jobs for men and women. While living in Idaho, Evelyn and her sister, Mary, noticed new baby clothes hanging from the clothesline and became excited with anticipation that they would be getting a doll. Instead of a doll, they got their new baby sister, Irene. Irene was born at home on a day that reached 117 degrees.

The family then moved to the Portland, Oregon, area, where Ernest and Alice both obtained jobs working in the Portland shipyards during World War II. The family lived in an old two-story house with a well. At some point, baby brother Ralph obtained a goldfish. Ralph managed to somehow drop the goldfish down the well where it took up residence.

As Evelyn and her siblings got older, they began to spend more and more time working away from home. In the summers, they would pick crops around the Willamette Valley, including strawberries, beans, and hops. In August of 1950, Evelyn was working in a Hopfield near Independence, Oregon, when she met Glenn Lawrence Bathke. Glenn was forking hops into the drying kiln. They struck up a conversation and Glenn asked her to go for a ride in the country in his car with him. She didn't know him, so she refused to ride in his car. But she did agree to ride on the rumble seat on the car exterior. During the drive, he managed to pass too close to the edge of the road and drove through a patch of brambles. Despite her scratches, Evelyn kept up her acquaintanceship with Glenn over the next several days. They were stuck like glue. The two were married a short time later on October 4, 1950. Evelyn was six days away from turning 18. She needed to either wait those six days or convince one of her parents to sign off on her marrying prior to her birthday. Ever resourceful, she chose her mother's birthday as her wedding day. She received her mother's consent.

Evelyn and Glenn were married in a small ceremony at their church minister's home in Monmouth, Oregon. Glenn knew that his new father-in-law had a penchant for jokes and pranks and feared that he would follow them on their wedding day. He also knew that Ernest's car could only turn well in one direction. He quickly drove away from the wedding with his new bride, turning the direction that Ernest's car would struggle to follow. This was the beginning of their journey.

Evelyn and Glenn were married for more than 50 years. They were deeply committed to each other. They lived in various communities and places, including Independence, Klamath Falls, Talbot, Tillamook, Falls City, Dallas, Grand Ronde and others. Along the way, they raised seven children. Evelyn was a devoted mother. Eventually, she and Glenn would have dozens of grandchildren. Evelyn loved her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, teaching them arts and crafts, games, and gardening tips. During the time she lived in Tillamook, she enjoyed taking them clamming, and to the many bookstores in the community. Eventually as the number of descendants grew, she had to set up a calendaring system so as not to miss sending out any birthday cards.

Evelyn stayed active well up into her late eighties. She was part of the Polk County Master Gardener's program and had a large garden of fruits and vegetables. She enjoyed taking boxes of fresh produce to people she thought would enjoy it. Every fall, she stacked her winter's firewood in neat rows in her garage. In her mid-eighties, she took up jujitsu classes. She stayed more active than most.

Evelyn was a kind and loving person. She was also tough, and not afraid of adversity. The world is a better place for her having been here. But, on August 20, 2025, it was time for her to go home. Evelyn was a deeply religious woman, looked forward to seeing her husband, and all the family members that had predeceased her, again.

Evelyn was predeceased by her siblings, her husband, Glenn Lawrence Bathke, her stepson, Kenneth Burnett, her granddaughter Amy Bathke, her son-in-law, Jerry Howard, and son-in-law John Howard. Evelyn is survived by her children Glennda (Robert) Weber, Edwin Bathke, Ervin (Cynthia) Bathke, Calvin (Susan) Bathke, Vernon (Natalie) Bathke, Donna (Ivan) Barney, and Sandra Howard. She is also survived by 30 grandchildren, 46 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

Evelyn's family will be holding a private graveside service. Any donations in Evelyn's memory can be made to the Dallas Senior Center.

Bollman's Tribute Center is caring for the family.