Obituary
Violet Irene Evjen
1940-2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Violet Irene Evjen nee Brown, on March 21, 2021, at the age of 80 years after a short battle with lung cancer. The heavens were rejoicing when she joined her Heavenly Father.
Violet was born in Rocky Mountain House, AB on May 4, 1940. As a child, she was raised on a farm in the Oras District. To attend school, she stayed with Lily Oinanen in Sylvan Lake and later stayed with her aunt Ina Tihonen in Sylan Lake District returning home to the family on school holidays. Violet moved back home to Old Town to attend and graduate high school.
Violet worked at the Rocky Telephone office as a teenager and young woman. She then moved to Sylvan Lake and lived with her cousin Mary Rahko and worked as a store clerk and waitress. As an adult, Violet also worked in the University Hospital in Edmonton as a ward aid which she really enjoyed. In 1959, Violet moved back to Rocky Mountain House where she met her future husband, Thomas Evjen, at the Rocky Rodeo. They had their first child, Vonnie in 1961 and they were married later that year. Their son Shawn was born in 1962 and they moved to Abbotsford, BC. Then relocating to Hatzic Island where Violet worked in the telephone office and this is where their last child, Nichole was born in 1972.
The family then moved to Swan Hills, AB where Violet and Tom both worked for brother-in-law Bill Sands and Bill’s Hotshot Service & Oilfield Maintenance, Tom in the oilfield, and Violet in the office. Violet later owned and ran the Northern Lights Cafe, fulfilling one of her dreams. They moved to Barrhead, AB when Bill sold his company and Violet worked in a pizza parlor and a clothing store which she enjoyed very much. Violet moved to Slave Lake in 1983 for many years. She achieved her second-year chef certificate furthering her education and reaching another goal. She operated her own day home caring for many children over the net 4 years. She enjoyed raising Nichole to high school graduation, being close to Vonnie and her family, and attending her church where she was very involved and taught Sunday School.
She enjoyed decorating and transformed every home she lived in. She was very artistic and excelled at whatever she tackled. She moved back to Rocky in 1991 and stayed there until 2009. She started a catering business at the Legion and also cooked in rig and oilfield camps during this time. She is most recently remembered for her home care of area seniors. She worked very hard her whole life supporting herself and her children after her relationship with Tom dissolved. She enjoyed her time out in the West Country and Crescent Falls in particular.
She was integral in the ministry with Cody and Phebe Sands at Freedom by the Wold Ministries in Rocky Mountain House, teaching Sunday School, preparing meals for the homeless, praying for those in need, and giving her support. She served and loved her Lord Jesus with all her heart. She moved back to Slave Lake with Vonnie and Bruce Bohn where she retired, enjoyed her time with family and friends, and attended her Abundant Life Worship Centre Church until her passing.
Violet was predeceased by her mother Ester Brown, her father George M.C. Brown, her stepmother Jean Brown, her brother Dennis Brown, her sister Vivian Andres, her mother-in-law Fanny Evjen, her step-father-in-law Jim Bonner, her brother-in-law Wayne Bartrop, her brother-in-law Fred Evjen, her step-grandson Michael Deutch, her nephew Billy Sands, her nieve Lisa Ecjen, and her great-nephews Mitchell Sands and Greg Brown, as well as many of her Rahko family.
Violet is survived by her estranged husband Tom Evjen, her daughter Vonnie (Bruce) Bohn, her son Shawn Evjen, her daughter Nicole Evjen, her grandchildren, Ashley (Nick) Provencher, Logan (Miranda) Bohn, Seth Evjen, her great-grandchildren Beau Provencher, Kiera Marshall and Jayda Bohn, her stepdaughter Lori (Maurice) Roy, her stepson Dale (Cindy) Bowe, her step-grandchildren Jesse and Mitchell Roy, her sister Florence Bartop, her brothers Richard (Rosella) Brown, Walter (Marilyn) Brown and George (Rosemary) Brown, her auntie Irene Sippola and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
No formal service will be held at this time.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Violet Irene Brown Evjen May 4 1940 March 21 2021 (age 80)..
Death notice for the town of: Athabasca, Province: Alberta