Evan Cowley

Evan Hindle Cowley, 91, of Idaho Falls, died Monday, October 18, 2010, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center. Evan was born October 29, 1918, in the log home his father constructed on the banks of Bitter Creek near Penrose, Wyoming, to James and Sarah Ellen Hindle Cowley. Evan graduated from high school in 1937 where he was Salutorian and attended Eastern Montana Normal School in Billings, Montana. Evan met his wife, Carma Christiansen, in the summer of 1937 and married her on June 25, 1941 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Carma died in 1990. In 1993, Evan married Ernestine Archibald Price. Evan was inducted into the Army on October 1, 1942 and received training in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Midland Radio Institute Radio Repair School. He was assigned to the 1075th Signal corps and served as a Staff Sergeant in England and France during World War II. After his discharge, Evan and Carma were blessed with their first two daughters, Patricia and Donna, while living in Worland, Wyoming. They moved to Sheridan, Wyoming in 1951. It was while living here that their only son, Dean, was born on May 16, 1953 and two weeks later they packed and moved to Idaho Falls where Evan has resided since. Their fourth and last child, Linda, was born in Idaho Falls. Evan worked at several jewelry stores in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho. He worked for Prudential Insurance, A.W. Brunt Agency, Real Estate Exchange, U&I Sugar Company, and Westinghouse Electric Company, from which he retired. Evan spent many years tending his large garden and friends and family were often recipients of his bounteous harvest. He enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading and the outdoors. The family always enjoyed his sense of humor and keen memory as he would recite passages and poetry he learned in his youth. He has served in many church positions including Young Mens, bishopric, stake missionary, Stake Sunday School, financial clerk, temple worker, extraction worker, and many others. Evan was a wonderful brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Ernestine; children, Pat (Earl) Holyoak, Donna (Dean) Boyce, Dean (Mary) Cowley, and Linda (Steve) Hobbs, all of Idaho Falls; 14 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren; stepchildren, Deanne (Ted) Smith, Sandy (Don) Borg, Jim (Debbie) Morris and Bill Morris; 11 step-grandchildren and 26 step-great grandchildren; and one brother, Frank. He was preceded in death by his wife, Carma; parents; sister, Beatrice; brothers, Roland, Norman, and Irvin. Funeral services will be conducted at the Idaho Falls Stake Center at 1155 First Street in Idaho Falls by Bishop Doug Hillman at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, October 23, 2010. The family will visit with friends from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, October 22, at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue and from 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the church prior to services. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park Cemetery.

Funeral Services

11:00 a.m. ,Saturday, October 23, 2010 Idaho Falls LDS Stake Center 1155 First Street Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401 Notes: The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge) and Saturday from 10-10:45 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Fielding Memorial Park with Military Rites by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and Idaho Honor Guard.