Evelyn M. Tautges' Obituary
Our beloved mother, Evelyn Tautges, 93 years old, was granted the blessing of going to be with the Lord on March 27, 2018. She yearned to meet up again in heaven with our dad, the love of her life, who captured her heart in 1943. It was a love story that didn’t end on his passing in 1994. Our soldier dad, was on furlough when they met at a wedding and quickly were enamored with each other. But he had to speed off to Europe soon after, to become her “war hero.” She tracked his every move while overseas and clipped articles that had any ounce of mention of the important 9th Armored Division. He drove a tank and was involved in the infamous Battle of the Bulge in Germany. She called him a hero because he and his battalion freed victims of internment camps. Through all this they corresponded with letters and once he was released from his duty, they reunited and were married.
Evelyn was born on October 1, 1924 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Raymond and Mary Lex. The Catholic faith and her church gave her strength in life, and especially in her last days. She attended Pius X Catholic High School where she was able to utilize her wonderful singing voice as a member of the choir. After not having much interest in football most of her life, she became a diehard Packer fan in her later years…and has all the Packer paraphernalia to prove it! Throughout her life, her favorite place to be was in the kitchen where she cooked and baked with love and excellence.
Evelyn and Louie had six children together: Raymond Tautges (Isela) Texas; Theresa Heger (Don), Montana; Jerry Tautges (Joy), Montana; Rita Vehon (Tony), Arizona; Elizabeth Tautges (Jack), Wisconsin; and Mark (Pauline), Wisconsin. She had her hands full and though times were tough, she did her best to take care of this brood while her husband worked many jobs to keep things afloat.
She was so proud of this passel of kids, and also took pride in all her talented and successful grandchildren: Catherine, Benjamin, Joseph, Theresa, Monica, Paul, Steve, Donny, Krista, Kari, Matthew, Megan, Amanda, Fred, Carl and Cindy. And from these grandchildren she was blessed with nineteen great grandchildren.
Evelyn was the eldest in her family of three brothers and a sister: Ray, Will, Bernie and Joe. With the loss of Ray, Will and Joe, she and her sister Bernie were the ones left to carry on after the brothers left on their journey to heaven.
Since 2012 Evelyn resided at Wisconsin Veteran’s Home in King, Wisconsin where she found some wonderful caregivers who made her feel loved. Fun social activities brightened her days and even when she was limited to a wheelchair, the staff and volunteers made it possible for her to bowl in the alley at King. The volunteers cheered her on to win the game and when she did, her face glowed with delight. She also got a thrill showing off her trivia knowledge and never wanted to miss Trivia days.
Because she loved music and appreciated talented singers, a highlight of her stay at King was the musical performances held outdoors at the gazebo on warm summer nights. On one especially eventful night the band played the 1940s song, “Sentimental Journey”, as the full moon shone in all its glory. To make this an even more remarkable night, her oh-so-talented grandson Paul was playing in the band. What a memorable sight it was for her and family. Over the years, “Sentimental Journey” became a family favorite and holds a soft spot in our hearts because Mom, in her early twenties, had a 45 record made where she sang that song. It’s a little scratchy these days but cherished by us all.
As recent health issues developed, Evelyn was exceptionally taken care of by the ER staff at ThedaCare Medical Center-Waupaca, and the hospital staff at ThedaCare Medical Center-Appleton. The Gold Star team that transported her to Appleton is to be commended for their kindness, sense of humor, and efficiency. The family is eternally grateful for the concern and care for our sweet mother by these dedicated professionals.
We will celebrate Evelyn’s life and say our final farewells on April 4, 2018. Viewing is at 10:00am at St Mary Magdalene Catholic church in Waupaca, Wisconsin. The mass will start at 11:00am. Following the mass, we will move to ST. Mary Magdalene Catholic Cemetery on High Street in Waupaca to take Evelyn to her place of rest.
Church location:
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church
N2845 Shadow Road
Waupaca, WI. 54981
1 mile south of Hwy. 10on Hwy 22.
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