Evelyn WAWRZYNIAK

26 MAR 1926 - 13 MAY 2017

• BIRTH: 26 MAR 1926, Whiting, Lake, Indiana
• DEATH: 13 MAY 2017, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 26 OCT 1946, St Joseph County Indiana

INDEX

[N16820] Evelyn Priester
March 26, 1926 - May 13, 2017
SOUTH BEND - Surrounded by her family, Evelyn Priester, 91, passed away May 13, 2017. Evelyn, the oldest of three children, was born in Whiting, IN, to Anna and Martin Wawrzyniak. She spent her childhood there and graduated from Whiting HS in 1943. After working briefly following high school, Evelyn met her future husband, Sonarman 3rd Class William Priester, at a USO dance. The long distance romance, starting shortly after the end of WWII, blossomed quickly as the two exchanged many passionate letters between Indiana and Maine. The two were married in South Bend, Indiana, on October 26, 1946, and moved into their first home, a tiny trailer on the campus of Franklin University. Over their 58 years together Evelyn and Bill called many places home: South Bend, IN, Oak Lawn, IL, Corona, CA, Bryan, OH and after Bill retired, to Portland, OR to be near their two sons and their families. Evelyn loved road trips with Bill and one of her favorite destinations was the casino. She would almost always defy the odds and come home a happy winner. She deeply loved, cherished and adored her three cats -- Pepper, Emily and Amy. Her final years were spent at Laurel Parc Senior Living Community where she eagerly joined in many of their activities on a regular basis, but she especially loved Bingo, Creative Coloring and Crafts. Evelyn's caring and compassionate personality enabled her to make many friends there, all of whom adored her and felt blessed to be with her. She truly was a “poster girl” for The Greatest Generation. After 58 years of marriage, Evelyn was preceded in death by Bill (2005), her brother Eugene and grandchild Brian. She leaves behind her brother, Ernie Wawrzyniak (Pat) and sister-in-law, Joan Wawrzyniak; two sons, David (Rita) and Bill (Elaine); four grandchildren: Jeffery (Laura), Zachorie, Andrew and Katie; and two great-grandchildren, Brian and Allison. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Saturday, June 10, at Laurel Parc Senior Community with a reception to follow. A special thanks to Laurel Parc for the compassionate, loving care they provided to Evelyn in her final weeks. In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to St. Pius X Catholic Church in Portland, OR. Published in South Bend Tribune on May 28, 2017