Evelyn Gore, a Richland resident since 1947, passed away December 17, 2011 at the age of 92. She was born in Curtiss, WI, on August 31, 1919 to Kurt and Susan Kastner, and was the youngest of 4 children. She was raised in rural northern Wisconsin on a dairy farm.

In Wisconsin, she went to Chippewa Falls High School and graduated in 1937. She took one year of teacher's training at Chippewa Falls as an extension of high school and started teaching in a one-room rural schoolhouse with 13 students grades 1st through 8th. In 1945 she went to Yakima, WA, to be a principal for Willow Lawn Grade School. Evelyn then moved to Richland where she taught 6th grade at John Ball School at Hanford, WA, from 1947 to 1949.

In March of 1949, Evelyn joined the Kadlec Hospital Auxiliary and was honored as the only surviving charter member. During her 64 yrs in Richland, Evelyn was involved with the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, the Richland Police ¬¬¬¬¬¬Volunteers in Police Services, Kiwanis, and was a long-time member of Richland Lutheran Church.

Over the years Evelyn was a substitute teacher in surrounding schools Richland, Benton City, Kennewick, Pasco, Burbank, etc, from 1950 to 1973. In 1971 she worked at Columbia Basin College branch office in Richland. She also taught at the Kennewick Catholic grade school from 1972 to 1974 while also working at the Richland Holiday Inn now the Clarion as a cashier/hostess. In 1978 she passed the real estate exam and worked for Lawrence Mabry Real Estate Inc., Dick Wirth & Associates, and Spencer-Kinney Real Estate for a total of 23 years.

Years ago, Evelyn's favorite pastime was taking her young boys camping, hunting and fishing. Lake Curlew was her son Jimmy's favorite destination, 2nd only to Montana. Both her sons liked to hunt pheasants and quail in and around Benton City and she would take them at every opportunity.

Evelyn's greatest indoor pastime was playing bingo, and she never missed a bingo game as long as she could get to it. Her bingo partner for over 50 yrs was Donna Lee Weitz of Richland and she looked forward to each minute spent playing bingo with Donna by her side. Evelyn loved to garden and always had the best raspberry patch around. She also loved playing cards and could usually beat everyone she played. Evelyn was also a big sports fan and a big treat for her was to see a Mariners game. She lived a simple and selfless life, was a very hard worker, and very independent. Given the hardships in Evelyn's life, she overcame them and carried on with a positive attitude.

The last 6 months was spent living with her daughter, granddaughter, and 2 great granddaughters in Colorado, who will all miss her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her 2 sons. Her son Jimmy died of cancer melanoma in 1973 at the age of 15. Her son Tom died, at age 41, in 1993 when his store, the former Coin House in Richland, caught fire. Evelyn was also preceded in death by her parents; 2 older brothers, Clarence Kastner of Yakima, and Richard Kastner of Weyerhauser, WI. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara McCleary of Erie, CO; granddaughter, Lori Johnson husband Bill; and 2 great-granddaughters, Taylor and Abby, all of Castle Rock, CO, and her brother, Walter Kastner, age 96, of Whittier, CA.

Evelyn used to say: "….I taught school for 23 yrs, I was married for 23 yrs, and I sold real estate for 23 yrs….."

A memorial service will be held at Einans Funeral Home, Richland, WA, on December 28, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be from 8am to service time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the HospiceCare of Boulder & Broomfield Counties, 1855 Plaza Dr, Louisville, CO, 80027, who provided comfort and care to Evelyn, or the Mid Columbia Meals-on-Wheels, that allowed Evelyn to remain in her Richland home for many months due to the wholesome meals they provide to the elderly.