Evelyn A. McMillan

A memorial reception was held on Sept.10 at the St. Paul Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, N. 202 Second St., Chewelah, for former Ford merchant Evelyn A. McMillan, 103, who passed away on Sept. 1, 2011, in Colville.

Born on her grandparent’s ranch near Princeton, Minn., on Feb. 14, 1908, her family lived for two years in Bemidji, Minn., before moving to Ronan, Mont. When she was 13 her family moved to Missoula where she finished high school and enrolled at the University of Montana, majoring in music.

She finished her formal education at Eastern Washington Teachers College as a music major. She took her first teaching job at Ritzville, where she married her boss, school principal James C. “Jim” McMillan.

In 1945 she and her husband purchased the country store in Ford, which they operated until 1953. In 1954 they moved to Addy where she became a full-time homemaker and part-time piano teacher. Following the death of her husband in 1987 she continued to live in her home until 2008 when she moved to the Parkview Retirement Center in Colville.

She was an active member of the Stevens County Historical Society and Rural Letter Carriers Auxiliary. She was accomplished at playing the piano and organ. She played the piano at the Keller House in Colville during special events.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim; and two sisters.

She is survived by a son, Bruce McMillan of Baker City, Ore .; a daughter, Karen (John) Schultz of both Reardan and Addy; six grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory in Chewelah was entrusted with arrangements. An online memorial guestbook is available at http://www.danekasfuneralchapel.com.

The family suggests memorials be given to Merry Glen Home, N. 2917 Cincinnati, Spokane, WA 99207 or Stevens County Historical Society, P.O. Box 25, Colville, WA 99114.