Evelyn Alvina "Evie" Smith (Bertsch)

March 8, 1917 - January 26, 2014

Evelyn A. Smith, the daughter of Leonard and Eva (Kottke) Bertsch was born March 18, 1917 in Hendrick, Iowa, and graduated from Avoca Iowa High School in 1935. While in school she worked as a waitress in her parent's restaurant. After graduation she married the love of her life, Elton (Sam) Smith on June 16, 1935 at Grace Church in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Not to many years after their marriage they moved to Portland, Oregon and lived in the Sellwood area and then later they bought a home in Milwaukie, Oregon. Evelyn was a homemaker who loved gardening and canning, but caring for Sam was her greatest devotion. They loved to fish for salmon on the Willamette River and shared their catch with neighbors. Her greatest catch was a 225 lb. blue marlin she caught in Hawaii, and I might add she brought it in all by herself. Trips to the islands, Disneyland and San Diego were highlights they shared together. In 2011 she sold her home and moved to The Springs in Milwaukie, OR. Shortly after her move she fell and broke her hip which dictated her condition to be from independent living to assisted living. She loved her new home where she met a host of wonderful people and was lovingly cared for. In the months to come Evie grew very weak from being in a wheelchair and was confined to her bed till the Lord called her home on Sunday January 26, 2014. Evelyn was a good friend and neighbor for nearly 60 years. We enjoyed our weekly shopping trips and she also became very involved in watching our children grow from childhood to adulthood, not missing a shower or a wedding. She always felt a part of our family as we felt the same for her and Sam. Evie mentioned many times she wished she had papers to show she was part of our family, so my oldest daughter Cindy made an adoption certificate (even with the Oregon seal) that we all signed and now she had papers to show we were family. We all miss her dreadfully, especially me! Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Elton (Sam) Smith, her parents, a sister Eva Bjornson, three brothers Robert Bertsch Sr., Rex Bertsch and infant James Bertsch. She is survived by her sister-in-law Opal Bertsch, three nephews and two nieces and other relatives, and many friends and loved ones. For those who wish, contributions may be made to a charity of their choice in her memory.