Evelyn Irene Tunnell

VICTOR – Evelyn Irene Tunnell, 89, of Victor passed away Thursday, May 2, 2019 at St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula.  She was born March 2, 1930 in Richmond, CA the daughter of Ferdinand and Odella (Littau) Voelker.

            Evelyn was raised and educated in California, graduating from Butte Valley High School in Dorris, CA.  She married Don Tunnell on August 22, 1948 in Klamath Falls, OR.  Together they resided in Dorris, CA where Don and Evelyn began ranching.  They sold the ranch in 1969 and together they moved to Darby in 1972. 

            Evelyn worked at the Darby School cafeteria for several years.  She taught Sabbath School at the Darby Seventh Day Adventist Church for over 30 years.  She also served as a Deaconess and played piano at the church.  Evelyn and Don moved to Victor in 2009. 

Evelyn loved gardening and taking care of her yard.  She was also a wonderful seamstress, making clothes for her children.  Evelyn also enjoyed crocheting and knitting, making afghans for all her grandchildren, and watching the wildlife around her home. 

            Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents; her sister, Dorothy; and her great-grandson, Truitt Scott Harman.  She is survived by 4 children, Marilyn A. Titus and husband Buck of Darby, Jack D. Tunnell and wife Lavada of Glendive, MT, Donna J. Thrailkill and husband Mark of Victor and Patricia S. Buhler and husband Wayne of Darby; 11 grandchildren, Rob Titus, Rebecca Rouse, Tammy Lynch, Cheri Wilson, Beth Regan, Jessica Harman, Jeremy Manz, Jamie Manz, Tanin Buhler, Faver Buhler and Kenny Buhler; 23 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild.

            Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 from 12:00 pm until 1:00 pm at the Daly-Leach Chapel with funeral services following at 1:00 pm.  Interment will take place at Lone Pine Cemetery in Darby following the funeral. 

            The family suggests that memorials be made in Evelyn’s name to Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), 12501 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD, 20904 or to the American Cancer Society, 3550 Mullan Rd. #103, Missoula, MT  59808.  Condolences may be left for the family at www.dalyleachchapel.com.   

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