Evelyn Pruitt

EVELYN PRUITT – 1934-2025, passed away in Battlefield, MO after a short illness.
Evelyn (Schuler) Pruitt was born September 1, 1934, to Charles and Nancy (Hall) Schuler in Girdner, MO. She was the 5th of six children.
Evelyn spent most of her life growing up in and around Girdner and Ava, MO, graduating from Ava High School in 1952. In 1953 she met and married Kenneth E. Pruitt of Gainesville, MO and to that union 3 children were born, Gary Lee, Larry Wayne and Kennee Lynn. They would later divorce and Evelyn would remain single.
Evelyn had many jobs and careers in her lifetime including working at the local café during high school and for her mother in the laundry serving the local community, both in Ava. Later she went to work for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, Quaker Oats in St. Joseph MO, selling Kriby vacuum cleaners and owning a café in Gower MO. In 1978 she and her daughter moved to Topeka, KS where she briefly owned a waterproofing business before going to work and retiring from the State of Kansas in 1997.
Evelyn loved to dance! On most Friday and Saturday nights you would find her anywhere where there was a fiddle player or a cassette player and at least 7 other people, square dancing, two stepping and waltzing the night away. If she caught you tapping your toes and you didn't know how to dance, it didn't matter, she would teach you on the spot! She was also known for her baking skills, especially her homemade bread, it would bring people around for blocks just from the smell alone. Evelyn had a love for life, and it showed in everything she did every day from her quirky hats to her flashy jewelry.
Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents, 3 brothers and 2 sisters. She is survived by her 3 children, Gary Pruitt, St. Paul, MN; Larry Pruitt (Cindy) Plattsburg, MO; Kennee Lynn Mastalski (Bill) Springfield, MO; 3 step grandchildren, 6 step great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, great and great, great nieces and nephews.
Evelyn did not want funeral services. Her wishes were to be cremated. A celebration of life will be planned and announced at a later date.