Evelyn Theresa Herzinger Hill passed away peacefully on February 18, 2023, at the age of 97. She was born on September 6, 1925, on the family farm outside of Buhl, Idaho, two years after her sister Connie. She attended a nearby one-room schoolhouse with her sister, cousins, and friends living in the area.

When she was 13, her father Joe, a WW1 veteran, got sick and was sent to the Veterans hospital in Boise, Idaho. Her mother Bertha packed up and moved to Boise to be with him, leaving the farm in the hands of her uncle and Evelyn and Connie in the care of a friend until the end of the school year. That summer, both girls moved to Boise. Her father died the next winter.

Evelyn helped her mother run a boarding house during the time she lived at home and finished high school in Boise. These were the war years, and socializing with servicemen was something she and her mother did regularly. Evelyn met many servicemen, and one man named Sonny ended up proposing to her. While Evelyn was not sure if he was the one, her mother was very impressed with him, so they planned to marry. Eventually, Evelyn set off on a train to be with him but decided to get off at Los Angeles. Based on some advice she had been given about Los Angeles, she took a bus to Hollywood, got a job at Bullock's Department store, and found a room and boarding house that first day. After settling in, Evelyn called Bertha who told her in no uncertain terms to get back on that train! The marriage didn't last long, and in short order, Evelyn was back in Hollywood, with her mother's blessing!

In the summer of 1943, Connie was visiting Evelyn in Hollywood, having graduated from Oregon State. Connie was waiting to start a new job in the fall but on a whim she went to a movie studio and was hired on the spot. She stayed in Hollywood, eventually moving in with Evelyn.  Soon Bertha moved to Hollywood to be close to her girls. One of the servicemen Evelyn first met in Boise, Dick Hill, crossed paths with her again in Hollywood, and they started seeing each other until he was sent overseas. During the war, they continued to write and share their feelings so when he was discharged in 1945, they were ready to marry. She and Dick bought a rooming house, moved to Corvallis and got married. Dick started college at Oregon State.  Soon her kids Sonndra and Rick came along. Jobs took the family to Salem, Oregon, for a few years then to Mt. Vernon, Washington.

For the next 20 years Evelyn enjoyed boating, dancing, socializing with neighborhood friends, as well as raising a family. In 1970 she and Dick divorced, her kids were out of the house, and she moved to Seattle, working at several accounting jobs. She was routinely singled out with appreciation awards and employee of the month recognition due to her desire to get to know every person working in these businesses.

Evelyn loved dancing and was quite good at it.  She met a handsome dancer named Roger who captured her heart and became her partner for the next 25 years until his death. They were very impressive on the dance floor, in part because Evelyn would learn her steps and Rogers also so they could practice over and over in their house. They lived in a house with a large lot outside of Seattle. She spent many years turning their yard into beautiful gardens. They continued to dance, go to Dixieland Jazz festivals, travel, and be with family.

When Evelyn was 80, she and Roger moved to Bellingham to be closer to Evelyn's son Rick and daughter-in-law Jean, granddaughter Amy and her husband Bryan, and their two children Teagan and Bailey. Evelyn was a regular attendee at Connie's family reunion at the beach in Southern California Beach every Fourth of July. Roger passed away 3 years after their move to Bellingham.

At age 87,  after several surgeries for back problems, she moved into Orchard Park, an assisted living facility. There she made many friendships with residents and staff. In her last weeks it was clear how many people in her facility wanted to do everything they could to help her, and how sad many people were with her passing.

Evelyn lived a good life and had much happiness. She had a great upbeat and positive attitude, was always up for anything, and took great interest in the people she encountered. She loved her family over everything else and was loved by many. Her ashes are interred in Mt. Vernon at Hawthorne Cemetery.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her partner Roger, sister Connie, son in law Jeffers, and husband Dick.

Evelyn is survived by daughter Sonndra May of Bentonville, AR, son Rick (Jean), Grand Daughter Amy (Bryan) and great granddaughters Teagan and Bailey, all in Bellingham as well as many nieces and nephews.

Please visit www.hawthorne.fh.com to share your thoughts and memories and sign the online guest register.

Arrangements are under the care of Hawthorne Funeral Home, Mount Vernon, WA.