Evelyn Augusta Tucker (nee Joesting)
July 25, 1931 – August 1, 2019
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Evelyn Augusta Tucker (nee Joesting) on August 1, 2019. Evelyn was born in the Drayton Valley area on July 25, 1931 to Fritz and Augusta Joesting of Donop and Dusseldorf Germany respectively.
Life was difficult in the early years as German immigrants were sometimes not particularly welcomed in the early 1920’s. Evelyn started school in Spruce Grove and just a few years ago confided to us how shy she was in Grade 1. “Probably because I didn’t know anyone, and I couldn’t speak English.” Her school books were the education source for Fritz and Augusta to learn English as well. After Grade 1, Grandpa Joesting was granted a homestead and in 1938 the family of Fritz and Augusta with son Martin and daughters Evelyn and Doris settled on the Pembina River flats near Lodgepole. Evelyn later attended Dunnington School (3.5 miles west of Violet Grove) and stayed with Badicks and Whites through her schooling years. She told us of how afraid she would be in the dead of winter, to start walking home to Lodgepole on Friday afternoon as the sun was low. She would be in tears of fear by the time Grandpa would meet her somewhere along the old sand road from Dunnington to Lodgepole. But bravery and kindness were required traits of early settlers in the area. A measure of kindness was a rifle given to Grandpa Joesting by the Glenn family whom immigrated from Scotland. Mr. Glenn said it was ridiculous to homestead in the area without a firearm, and, as it was illegal for Grandpa to own a firearm during the Second World War, he provided Grandpa with a rifle for safety and survival.
Evelyn was well known in the Drayton Valley area because of her endless kindness and willingness to help others at a moments notice. She was active with the Lodgepole and Drayton Valley Curling Clubs as well as the Dunnington Ladies Club. Later in life she was an active member with The Drayton Valley Golf Club and was granted lifetime membership of the ladies’ league, with her friend, Ivy Selin.
Evelyn is predeceased by her parents, Fritz and Augusta Joesting, her brother Martin Joesting and her sister Doris Lainchbury. Evelyn was also predeceased by her husband of 68 years William Ted Tucker on July 1, 2019. Evelyn is survived by her 5 sons, Jack (Bev) of Ponoka, Jim (Karen) of Sundre, Milton (Margo) of Drayton Valley, Richard of Drayton Valley and Chris (Susan) of Calgary as well as numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A celebration of life for Evelyn will be held in conjunction with Ted Tucker’s celebration of life at the Drayton Valley Legion Hall on August 24, 2019 at 7:00pm.
The family would like to express our gratitude to the wonderful, caring staff at Drayton Valley Hospital and Care Centre. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Drayton Valley Health Services Foundation, 4550 Madsen Ave, Drayton Valley, AB T7A 1N8
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Evelyn Augusta Tucker August 1 2019..
draytonvalley funeral services
Décès pour la Ville: Drayton-Valley, Province: Alberta