Evelyn Arlett Bailey Gotzion

Gotzion, Evelyn Arlett Bailey WAUNAKEE - Evelyn Arlett Bailey Gotzion, died on Saturday, March 24, 2007, at St. Marys Care Center after a brief illness. She was born on May 8, 1913, in Waunakee, the daughter of Alfred and Ella (Paul) Bailey. Evelyn (Evie) was the oldest of their 14 children. Evelyn married Steven Frank Gotzion, Jan. 31, 1931. Evelyn and Steve lived in Madison and raised their three children, Doris, Dean and David. Evelyn worked for Rayovac Corporation for 43 years, as a factory worker. She was one of the first women to become a member of the Labor Union and served the union for a number of years. She was crowned Labor Day Queen in the early 1960s. She was very active in the Democratic National Party with the honor of having met John and Jackie Kennedy, Rosalyn Carter and Eleanor Roosevelt. She was an avid bowler being a member of the "600 Club;" served on the recreation committee for the AFL-CIO, was a current long time member of the Madison Tuberculosis Association and had the opportunity to travel extensively through her service to the labor union and the Democratic National Party. In 1998, she was chosen and featured in the book entitled, "Like Our Sisters Before Us" as one of 10 women who played a prominent role in the Wisconsin labor movement with testimonies and observations about how the workplaces have changed for women over the years. Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Doris (Ted) Payne; sons, Dean (Marion) and David; six grandchildren, Beth (David) Zedaker, Deanna (Jeff) Horne, Steve (Jody) Gotzion, Gregg (Denise) Gotzion, John Payne and Amy (Jason) Gotzion-Peterson; eight great-grandchildren, David and Brandon Zedaker, Matthew, Eric and Alex Horne, Aven and Lily Gotzion and Nicholas Peterson; her sisters, Beatrice McAllister and Lois (Slim) Rice; brothers, Harold Bailey and Kenneth (Jean) Bailey; brother-in-law, Tom Lukens; and sisters-in-law, Joanne, Fran and Mary. She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Ella; her loving husband of 44 years, Steve; siblings, Marvin, Berton, Stanley, Arlene, Violet, Helen, Beverly, Marion and Gerald; and her daughter-in-law, Kay Gotzion. A loving mother, wonderful grandmother and great-grandmother and matriarch of the Bailey family, Evelyn will be so dearly missed by all her family and friends. She will always be remembered for kind words, gift of conversation and love for her family. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 27, 2007, at noon at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, with the Rev. Richard Dowling presiding. Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday, March 26, 2007, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. The family wishes to thank the wonderful health care providers of St. Marys Care Center and Dr. Lynda Siewert and staff of the Wildwood Family Clinic for their loving and compassionate care. So Ill cherish the old rugged cross, Til my trophies at last I lay down; I will cling to the old rugged cross, And exchange it some day for a crown.