Evelyn Scott

Scott, Evelyn A. MADISON-Evelyn A. Scott, age 90, passed away quietly with family at hand on Monday, Dec. 14, 2009, at the HospiceCare Center in Fitchburg. She was born in Poynette, the daughter of Hugo and Elnora (Rabe) Paske, and raised in Winslow, Ill. Evelyn married the love of her life, James P. Scott Jr., in 1941 and spent her married life raising her family in Beloit, Marinette, and Madison. She moved to Middleton Glen Independent Living Center in 2008.It was in 1965 that Evelyn handled the task of packing up her family and selling the house to move to Madison, where husband Jim had secured and already started a new job. Shortly after settling in, she continued her education, attending night classes at UW-Whitewater. Her dear Jim would go with his dearest Evelyn those evenings, not wanting her to drive down alone. Those evenings brought many treasured memories and were symbolic of their loving relationship. Evelyn lovingly taught hundreds of kindergarten and first graders over a 20 year teaching career with the Madison Public School system. She taught at Lowell, Shorewood, Lakeview, and Mendota schools, making many long-lasting and dear friendships with her colleagues. Evelyn started her academic career at the Marinette County Teachers College in 1954, where she excelled as a student, had the joy of having her two older sons in class, and won the "Teacher of the Year" award. She always said the award was for managing to get through school while pregnant with her third son. Two years later she delivered her fourth and informed her husband they'd now had enough surprises. Evelyn also enjoyed traveling. When asked as a young girl, "What do you want to be when you grow up?", she would respond, "I'm going out west to become a cowgirl." Her brothers teased that she would never make it further west than the outhouse. As it turns out Evelyn took many wonderful trips with Jim, most memorable among them were trips to Alaska, Hawaii, and car tours the length of the Atlantic coast and through the mountains in the west. In retirement, she traveled well into her 80s, joining Bethel groups on tours to Europe and New York City, as well as all around Wisconsin, a state she loved and studied. Evelyn saw her greatest achievement as raising her family, which she held close and very dear. She never missed an event, be it a birthday, a holiday gathering, or just sharing a beer with a son and daughter-in-law. Evelyn called her sons "the boys" and always referred to the daughters-in-law as "her girls". She loved nothing more than to welcome a new grandchild or great-grandchild. Evelyn made a point of making all the family reunions and the annual cemetery tour in spring to place flowers on all the family graves. Not one to sit by while others had fun, she cross-country skied into her 70s, played golf at 88, and would still dance the night away if her son's band was playing, just as she did at age 89. She was a lover of nature, enjoyed the changing seasons, especially the beautiful autumn colors, was a flower gardener, and loved to watch and listen to the songbirds. Mom was a model for how to age with grace. She found joy and fulfillment in every stage of life. Her welcoming smile, ready laughter, genuine interest in others, and ability to always see the good in everyone and everything, endeared her to family, friends, and acquaintances. Evelyn's greatest strength was her faith. She was always deeply involved in her church, Bethel Lutheran. Evelyn sang in the choirs at church, most recently the Victory choir, which sings in senior's residences and nursing homes. She taught confirmation, organized blood drives, worked in the Parish Shop and as an Altar Guild member for years, and was a stalwart of the XYZ group, where she led a reading group. She was truly a faithful servant, always finding ways to help others. Into her 80s she was still the driver who assured fellow Bethel members made it to church, choir, or XYZ, and making her way up to Bethel Horizons to bake pies with the kids. She visited and sent cards regularly when family and friends were ill or in nursing homes. Mom drew great strength from her faith and her firm belief in life after death. We share that faith and take comfort knowing she has now joined her dear Jim, and that Mom and Dad will be keeping watch from above. Evelyn is survived by her four sons, James (Linda) of Saukville, Thomas (Suzanne) of Middleton, William (Darcy) of Oregon, and Craig (Linda) of Madison; five grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and brother, Gaylon (Joan) Paske. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband and life-mate, Jim; her parents; her brothers, Orlon and Huber; and an infant sister, Lucille. The celebration of Evelyn's life will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. Visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren, Ill., at 3 p.m. on Friday. Memorials may be made to the music ministry of Bethel Lutheran Church or to HospiceCare Inc. Memorials: Memorials may be made to the music ministry of Bethel Lutheran Church or to HospiceCare Inc. Cemetery: Interment will be at Elmwood Cemetery in Warren, Ill., at 3 p.m. on Friday. Visitation: Visitation will be at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service. Service: The celebration of Evelyn's life will be held at BETHEL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 312 Wisconsin Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, 2009.