Mitsuko Evans
November 01, 1926 - April 27, 2016
Obituary
MADISON—Mitsuko Evans, age 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, surrounded by her family at Oak Park Place. She was born on Nov. 1, 1926, in Sapporo, Japan. She married Robert Evans in Sapporo, Japan during the Korean War while Robert served in the U.S. Army. Mitsuko was a member of Lake Edge United Church of Christ. She was a constant light in the lives of those that knew her. Mitsuko came to America from Japan during a time of immense prejudice to learn a new language and new customs. She was an inspiration in the way she demonstrated bravery in the face of prejudice and adversity. Mitsuko raised two young boys by herself while her husband was on the road five days a week. She was a brilliant artist with the ability to transfer her feelings onto a canvas. Mitsuko shared her gift of art at art fairs across the Midwest including Madison's Art Fair on the Square. She won many awards and was even featured in the newspaper because of her art. Mitsuko was a loyal Packers fan and kept a photograph of Brett Favre on her TV stand only to be replaced by one of Aaron Rodgers. She was able to make everyone in the room laugh with her contagious sense of humor. Mitsuko would always make sure her family was taken care of before herself. She was always loving and forgiving despite the circumstances. These are all pieces of her that she passed down to her two children and five grandchildren. We are forever grateful for the privilege of having known such a beautiful and intelligent woman. Mitsuko is survived by her son, George (Karen) Evans and their children, Robert Wyss, Olivia and Elizabeth Evans and; son, Tom Evans and his children, Arielle and Alana Evans. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert and daughter-in-law, Diane Warner-Evans. Private family services were held. Mitsuko is now at peace beside her beloved husband at Roselawn Memorial Park. The family would like to say a special thanks to Oak Park Place and Agrace HospiceCare for all of their loving care. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
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Memories
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Clarence Cameron
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Mitsuko was an early exhibitor at the Art Fair OFF the Square when so many of us Wisconsin artists were rejected from the Art Fair ON the Square in the early 1980s. She exhibited from 1982 to 1996, and her wonderful Japanese brushstroke paintings were always well-received. I remember her husband, Bob, very well, and his sense of humor and smile. He helped her at the fairs until his passing.
As I recall their license plate read BOB-ME, and I recall visiting in their home on Baskerville. Like so many, she was instrumental in making the early fairs a success and I, for one, will remember her for that.
Wisconsin Alliance of Artists and Craftspeople, Inc.
Clarence P. Cameron, Founder and Co-Founder of Art Fair OFF the Square.
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Yurri Sauerhammer
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I have one or two paintings Mitsuko gave me when I lived in Madison in the 70s and 80s and I went to her art shows when they had the art fairs on the square and on State Street. Those were the days. She had such beautiful Japanese paintings. She was always so sweet to me and I always enjoyed it when she came to our family store and visited with me and my Mom and Dad.. What a wonderful and elegant woman she was. I feel blessed to have known her. Yurri (Chong)
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Steve Goldberg
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I grew up just a couple houses from the Evans home on Baskerville, and I remember fondly how this gracious woman helped me prepare for my summer in Japan as a foreign exchange student in 1967. She offered some insight on Japanese culture and language, answered my questions about what to expect, and really helped me look forward to the experience. When I returned to Monona from Japan, she was the first person I visited. It was a real treat to share something so special with her. I'll always appreciate her warmth and her smile. --Steve Goldberg
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Nancy Gerber
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Aunt Schotzie (Mitsuko) was an amazing woman. My favourite memories are picking berries on Baskerville, watching her make traditional foods and going out to various restaurants on her birthday with my Grandma,, her mother-in-law. She was a wonderful role model. I am blessed to have had her as an Auntie. ~ Nancy Gerber