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In Memory

Evelyn Blechert (Swa) - Class of 1942

Estella (Evelyn) Swa, 85, our loving mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, left her mortal life on October 6, 2009, to join her eternal companion, DeWayne Swa and beloved son, Dee, to continue their journey together for all eternity. Evelyn passed away in the Bear Lake Memorial Hospital two days shy of her 86th birthday, surrounded by her family.

She was born October 8, 1923, in Ogden, Utah, the first of four siblings, to Emil and Mary Geneva Blechert. She was raised in Montpelier, Idaho, where she attended school and graduated. After graduation, she went to work in Ogden, Utah, at the Arsenal, and also the Defense Depot, during the better part of World War II. She returned to Montpelier to work as a secretary for Garrett Freightlines. Shortly thereafter she met the love of her life, her sweetheart, her soul mate, DeWayne, while he was home on leave from the Army. After a whirlwind courtship of one week, they were married on April 2, 1945. On April 22, 1989, their marriage was solemnized in the Logan, Utah, LDS Temple.

When the railroad terminal closed in Montpelier, DeWayne and Evelyn moved to Pocatello for 10 years, till DeWayne retired as conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad. While in Pocatello, Evelyn became very active in many organizations, and holding numerous offices in each through the years. She was in Junior Old Timers and Old Timers Clubs for the Union Pacific Railroad. She belonged to the Beta Sigma Phi international sorority; among her offices were president, secretary, treasurer, city council representative, city Valentine queen, and Woman of the Year.

DeWayne and Evelyn made many trips back East and throughout the United States going to DeWayne's yearly Army reunions. They loved traveling, being with friends and loved ones, camping out in their fifth-wheel, cruising the Caribbean, entertaining, cooking together, company, and above all each other. They celebrated 63 wonderful years together.

Evelyn was active in the LDS Church, when her health would no longer allow her to attend services she still enjoyed the elders bringing her sacrament, and her home and visiting teachers.

Many, many young people and now their children call her Grandma, along with her real grandchildren. To know Evelyn was to love her, and she was loved by young and old alike. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends, and all who knew her.

Evelyn is survived by her two daughters and their families, Shawna Barker of Pocatello, Idaho, and her children, Stacey, Jared, and Ashley, Diana and (Cal) Pullman and their children, Jody (Kenneth) Miller of Greenville, Texas, Kelly Swa of Salt Lake City, Utah; five great-granddaughters, Kayla, Andrea, Megan, Jessica, and Brittany Swa of Salt lake City, Utah; three great-grandsons, Kody, Colton, and Tristan Miller of Greenville, Texas; three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Maxine Swa of Boise, Idaho, Mrs. Delous Meredith of Fort Collins, Colorado, Mrs. Maudie Blechert of Ogden, Utah; and one brother-in-law, Arden Windley of Denver, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her husband, DeWayne, son, Dee, parents, and sisters, Joyce Windley, Georgia Kingsford, and brother, Delmar Blechert.

Evelyn was devoted to her family to the end and beyond. She was always more concerned about the welfare of others than her own. She was generous, hard-working and valiant to her family. Her love and devotion to her husband will always remain as a testimony to her family of what true love is.Mother, you were the best. We all love you so very much, and it will be hard to go on without you, but we know you'll be looking after us. Families are forever, and we will be together again. Love, your family.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Monday, October, 12, 2009, in the Montpelier Second Ward LDS Chapel. Interment will be in the Montpelier Cemetery.