Obit: Colby, Evelyn (1922? - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Adler, Colby, Godwin, Jakubowski, Manickam, Nixdorf, Toelle, Williams

----Source: WIGM/WKEB Obituaries (Medford, WI) 12/03/2015

Colby, Evelyn (Toelle) (1922? - 29 NOV 2015)

Evelyn Colby, 93, was granted eternal life on November 29, 2015.

Evelyn was a longtime Abbotsford resident who, for 32 years, co-owned the Casa Grande Supper Club with her husband, Leonard.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Abbotsford. Father Peter Manickam will officiate. Family and friends are welcome from 9:30 a.m. until time of service Saturday at the church.

Evelyn developed a knack to be able to get along with everyone. She enjoyed the company of happy, optimistic people, and they enjoyed her kindness and understanding nature. She knew what was important in life: family, friends and helping people in her subtle, simple way.

Evelyn, the daughter of Fred and Elizabeth Toelle, was born in 1922 in Arpin, WI. As a member of the “Greatest Generation,” living through the depression she became very resourceful early in life and was a working woman all her life. Her Catholic faith was very important. She was a member of St. Bernard’s Church in Abbotsford.

She and Len were married on July 4, 1942 at Camp Livingston in Alexandria, LA. She worked as a secretary in Wausau while Len served overseas with General Patton. They lived in La Crosse following the end of the war where their first three children were born, prior to the family moving to Abbotsford in 1952.

They then began building many fond memories of the friendships they made during their years at the Casa Grande. The work was difficult but overshadowed by the laughter.

Evelyn was an excellent student. She graduated from Marshfield High School in 1939 and attended North Central Technical Institute and the Wausau Vocational School at the onset of World War II. Her great memory was still sharp right up until the last days of her life. She even won the Senior Spelling Bee at her residence where she ironically noticed that they spelled her name incorrectly on her certificate. She had a great ability to retain detail; she could narrate any drive, explaining who used to live where, who they were related to, and all other amazing connections.

Evelyn enjoyed sewing and knitting; in fact, she made over 50 pairs of mittens for neighbor kids; she loved little children and they naturally took to her. She was also artistic and could paint reproductions of pictures. She read regularly and always kept photo albums nearby to relive travels and smile at family members and friends. Evelyn enjoyed music and loved to dance. Perhaps that explains her love of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and her general appreciation of movie musicals.

She was a true Wisconsin gal as she liked Wisconsin sports teams, and particularly liked Bob Uecker and Brett Favre. It goes without saying that she was a great cook, both in the restaurant and in the little home kitchen.

She is survived by four children: Lennie of Bradenton, FL; Warren "Buck" of Abbotsford; Jim (Sharon) of Abbotsford and Carol of Stevens Point; six grandchildren: Jennifer (Jon) Williams of Knoxville, TN, Scott Jakubowski of Washington, UT, Keesha (Jamie) Adler of Marshfield, Sarah (Nicholas) Godwin of Bettendorf, IA, Kayla (Travis) Nixdorf of Abbotsford; and David Colby of Stevens Point; and nine great-grandchildren: Michael, Danek, Szymon, and Claire Jakubowski; Xane, Ciena, and Taelyn Adler; and Emma and Wyatt Godwin.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Len in 2010, her son Michael in 1992 and her brother Dale Toelle in 1996.

The family would like to thank the staffs at the Colby Retirement Center, Pine Ridge Assisted Living, Golden Living Nursing Home, and Asera Care.

This woman of faith loved and was very proud of her children and their families. She now rests in peace among beloved others who have passed before her.

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Note: Birth data was not published with obituary.