Evelyn Mary Schoonover

Evelyn M. Schoonover, 97, of Canby, passed away September 26, 2020. She was born October 8, 1922 in Astoria to August and Ida Sotka. Evelyn grew up surrounded by a large, close-knit family on a farm in Eden Valley, Washington. She used to walk to a one-room schoolhouse, and played the violin and piano in the Eden Orchestra; a musical company formed by her mother. She graduated as Co-Salutatorian from high school in 1941. Upon completing high school, she enrolled in Longview Business College, and afterward worked for International Woodworkers of America before moving to Portland, Oregon in 1945. She married her high school sweetheart, Gordon Schoonover, in 1946 after Gordon’s honorable discharge from the Army Air Corp. They settled in Coos Bay, Oregon, and lived there for 8 years before moving to Canby, Oregon in 1954 to start a dairy farm. Evelyn was an avid gardener; filling their farm with flowers, and creating big vegetable gardens. She enjoyed sewing and cooking. She had a gift for hospitality; often feeding people at her table. She deeply loved her family, and spent hours chronicling the family history and filling countless photo albums with treasured moments shared with loved ones. She is survived by her 4 children; Alan Schoonover, Cathy Lindbo, Ken Schoonover and Trena Nutter; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild. A grave-side service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 3, at Zoar Cemetery. Donations in her memory can be made to Samaritan’s Purse.