Evelyn M. Eder

Evelyn Marie (Sutter) Eder passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on Saturday January 25th 2025 after a long struggle with dementia.
Andrew James and Sophie Katherine (Schultz) Sutter had seven children and Evelyn was the 4th. Born on Flag Day June 14th 1927 in Athens Wi. She always felt special on her birthday because everyone would hang a flag outside their home in her honor.
In her youth she attended St. Anthony's Catholic School and graduated from Athens High School in 1945. During high school, She was active as a class officer, on the student council, in the drama and Glee clubs, on the prom court, and the sports editor for the year book.
Evelyn married Martin Eder on September 25, 1948 in Athens, WI and shared 64 years together before his passing in 2013. They had nine children 22 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren. Mom loved babies and little children. Her face would light up every time one would enter the room. She once said a crying baby was music to ears.
Evelyn was a loving mother, grandmother, caregiver, and mentor. Everything she did was for her family, she was selfless. Mom taught us to know the Lord, and be kind to others. She taught us to work hard, take care of our things, our families, and ourselves. She valued hard work and education and made sure that we had the support and encouragement for both. She helped us all through the hard times in life. If you borrowed money from the bank of Evelyn you had to state your case for need, and present your plan to pay it back. Terms were favorable and payments were low. She kept a ledger for accuracy and would remind you if your payment was late. This was just one of the many ways that she taught her children responsibility and to be accountable.
Our Mother enjoyed many things including cooking, baking, knitting, quilting, gardening, afternoon naps, canning, brewing, fermenting, and especially loved sewing. She worked all year to hand make Christmas gifts for her children. She made great flannel shirts, and pajamas. Getting the gift of one of her handmade quilts was the best and are coveted family treasures. Her house was like a bakery with fresh warm apple kuchen, fried sugar donuts, cinnamon rolls, and always cookies. She made sure her family ate well and didn't get too thin. Evelyn also loved chocolate milk. When asked by her Dr what her secret for to a long life was. She quickly replied "chocolate milk".
Mom made sure chores were done as well as taking time to enjoy the little things in life. She enjoyed being outside, feeding birds, squirrels, chipmunks, tending to the flowers, and her vegetable garden. She enjoyed sitting outside on her porch, enjoying a treat, and the simplicity of a summer breeze.
It was hard to pull the wool over her eyes. She knew when her children were trying to get away with something, and had a built in lie detector. She was loving, determined, courageous, kind, funny, had a quick wit, and was famous for her one liners. Several that would make no sense to a stranger but her family clearly knew what message she was trying to convey.
Our Mother enjoyed hosting family gatherings. We had many memorable Thanksgiving, and Christmas dinners. They always concluded with her favorite card game that included a small wager. Fourth of July picnics for family and friends were an annual tradition, as well as traveling back to Athens every August for the fair. That trip home was highlighted by a gathering with her mother, and siblings. Her brothers masterfully roasted corn on the cob, and cooked bratwurst for the party that we all looked forward to every year.
Evelyn was a long time member of Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. She loved the Lord and supported many events there including her weekly outing to the church social hall to play bingo.
When Moms dementia got to the point where she wasn't able to be at home, she went to the Care Center in Hayward. This is where the nurses, doctors, staff, and her children that she spent her life caring for made sure that every day she had the love, care, and comfort that she deserved. For that we are all grateful.
Evelyn is survived by her children, Michael (Debra) Eder of Ashland WI, Patricia (Butch) Johnson of Hayward WI, Sarah (Mark) Gutt of Appleton WI, Mark (Lori) Eder of Mason WI, William (Susan) Eder of Ashland WI, Martin (Stephanie) Eder of Washburn WI, Amy (John) Engle of Rhinelander WI, Daniel (Kim) Eder of Greensboro NC, Sisters-in-law Dorothy Sutter of Canyon Lake TX, Shirley Drewek of Marquette MI, Audrey Eder of Woodruff WI, Susan (Mike) Krieger of Cedarburg, WI, Geraldine Eder of Wausau WI. Evelyn is preceded in death by her husband Martin, son James, her parents; Andrew and Sophie, brothers; Andrew, George and his wife Violet, Robert and his wife Edna, Edward and his wife Betty, and James. Sister; Mary Weed and her husband Jack, Sister-in-law; Ruth Lundahl and her husband Robert, Brothers-in-law; Donald Drewek and Howard Eder.
A Memorial Service for Evelyn will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the Mountain Funeral Home in Ashland with Father Jerome D'Souza officiating.
A gathering of family and friends will begin at 10:00 am of Saturday at the funeral home in Ashland and continue until the hour of service.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Mountain Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ashland and Mellen, WI.