Evelyn O'Donnell

Evelyn Jean Donner (Evans) O’Donnell, 87, of Filer, Idaho passed away early Saturday morning, November 21, 2015, at her home in Filer with her son, Merle, by her side.

She was born in Gillette, Wyoming October 7, 1928.  Evelyn attended school and graduated in Rosette, Wyoming.   She had 6 siblings, Melvin, Dorthy, Bob, Dale, Gary and one half brother Daryle Donner. Evelyn married Benard Evans and lived in Richfield, Idaho where they farmed. Later, they moved to Filer and had four children, Melva, Merle, Shirley and Randy. She was a caring and loving mother. In July 1980 she lost her son, Randy, to an accident.

She loved to sew, crochet, garden and was the best cook ever. She also loved to play pinochle with family and friends. Evelyn helped her husband, Ben, with farming and later helped as a bookkeeper and parts runner at their mechanic business in Filer. She also drove school bus for Leroy Fleenor until Ben passed away November 15th, 1984. She then worked at Idaho Frozen Foods until she met and married Hal O’Donnell, where they lived in Kimberly, Idaho and owned and operated a restaurant. Later they both retired. She loved Hal dearly until he passed away in 1995. Evelyn then moved back to Filer where she loved and enjoyed visiting with neighboring friends. The joy in her life was the love she had for her seven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was always there and loved to watch all their sporting events to cheer them on. Evelyn also was a member of the Filer First Baptist Church. She had a long battle with cancer and was a brave and courageous woman until the end. She is at peace now with her son Randy and all her family that has passed and her Heavenly Father.

She will be deeply and dearly missed by all her family and everyone that loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Dora Donner, son, Randy Evans, sister, Dorthy(Donner) Brown, infant sister, Joyce, brothers, Melvin, Bob, Dale, and Daryle Donner, husbands, Benard Evans and Hal O’Donnell. Evelyn is survived by her brother, Gary Donner of Upton Wyoming, Daughters Melva(Scott) McCabe of Eatonville, Wash., Shirley Evans, Twin Falls and son Merle Evans of Filer. Grandchildren Jama(Robyn) Swainston, Sheri Wills, Shayne Bloxham, Kaylee Bloxham, Danielle, Ashley and Peter McCabe. Great Grandchildren, Bailey Wills, Cejay Driscoll, Jaimen Swainston, Carson Swainston, Daniel Bloxham, Kyler Worrell, Ryann Bower, Sophia Bloxham and Isaac MacDonald.  

A Memorial Service of Evelyn’s life will be held Friday, November 27, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Filer First Baptist Church 254 U.S. 30, Filer, ID 83328. Those wishing to share memories and condolences may do so on Evelyn’s memorial webpage at www.magicvalleyfuneralhome.com.