Doris Evans Casebolt, 97, died peacefully of heart failure at St. Peter’s Hospital at 11 pm, Wednesday, February 20th. A celebration of her long and productive life will be held later this spring and will be announced well in advance through Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, who will be handling arrangements. Doris will be cremated and her ashes buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens next to the gravesite of her husband, Wilbur R. Evans, who died in 1974. True to form, twenty years ago, she arranged for her own gravestone to be put in place with everything but the final date completed. If anything, she was a realist.
Doris was born November 18, 1921, in Potosi, Missouri, to J. C. (Ches) & Ellen Sloan. The eldest of nine children, she was called upon to be a model big sister and shouldered many family responsibilities, developing leadership qualities she was known for throughout her life. A high achiever and student leader, she graduated from Potosi High School, notably having volunteered to learn the trombone when they needed one for the small town high school marching band. In 1941, she married Wilbur Evans in Sullivan, Missouri, and they packed their worldly goods in a 1934 Ford and headed out west, settling in Helena, where they raised their family and enjoyed the rich natural resources and “elbow room.” They had an idyllic, loving marriage and family life.
Doris and Wilbur raised two daughters, Norma L. Brown (Col. Tom Brown, Ret.) of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Barbara J. Evans (Gary L. Moe) of San Diego, California. Survivors include her grandson, Chris T. Brown (Joyce Lim Brown) of Oklahoma City and twin great-grandchildren, Nadia and Nathaniel. Also surviving are sisters, Lillian and Judy and brother, Larry, all in Missouri, and one brother, Newton Sloan, of Boulder, Montana. Preceding her in death were her husbands, Wilbur Evans and John Casebolt, and siblings, Monroe, Imogene, Tommy and Norma.
When she came to Helena in the 1940’s, Doris worked for the Helena Independent Record and then served as the First Presbyterian Church secretary for a number of years in the early 1950’s. She is best known for her 30+ years of work for the Montana Lung Association, where she coordinated the Christmas Seal fund-raising campaign, supervising as many as 10 clerks and others, as well as organizing conferences and educational events to promote lung health. She was loved and respected by the staff there, who recognized her incredible competence, her hard work and her compassion. She never asked anyone to do anything that she hadn’t done herself, thus inspiring the kind of devotion that true leaders garner.
The depth of her civic engagement over many years is also impressive. Every organization she ever joined eventually she led in some respect. She was a Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church and is likely one of its longest involved members. Her beautiful needlework, embroidery, crocheting and knitting were hot items at every church bazaar and funded many a charity project. Doris was a past Worthy Matron of the Josephine Hepner chapter of the Order of Eastern Star and remained as active as possible and interested to this day. As a member of Daughters of the Nile, she eventually co-led a precision drill team of matrons in harem pants and veils, traveling to conventions and performing in places as far away as Toronto. Only space considerations prevent a full accounting of what this woman accomplished in her life. As a parent, a community member, in her career, and as a friend, she was unerringly dependable, unassuming, and full of grace, an asset anywhere she went.
As a widow nearing retirement, she married John Casebolt, with whom she shared a passion for gardening and traveling, and enjoyed nearly two decades of marriage, maintaining a home in Ten Mile Creek Estates in the Helena Valley. The many wonderful friends and neighbors they met during that time helped her be more independent after becoming a widow again and she spent nearly fifteen years happily alone, looked out for by a raft of neighborhood fans. Her family is most grateful to those who gave her their time and devotion. Only when her vision prevented her driving did she move to assisted living at Touchmark on Saddle Drive in Helena. Over her last few years there, she renewed some old acquaintances and acquired many new friends, some among the staff who took such good care of her. Even at her advanced age, she was sharp and read the newspaper cover-to-cover every day, often completing the crossword puzzle. Her brief hospitalization before her death was attended to voluntarily by Touchmark staff who never left her side. That is the kind of devotion she inspired.
A Celebration of Doris’s Life will be held at 1pm on Saturday, May 18th at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena with a reception to follow in the social hall of the funeral home. Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Doris.
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday May 18, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Saturday May 18, 2019
Social Hall of the funeral home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Service Schedule
Celebration of Her Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday May 18, 2019
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
Reception
Following the service
Saturday May 18, 2019
Social Hall of the funeral home
3750 N. Montana Ave.
Helena, Montana 59602
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Brandi says
I lived across the street from Doris as a child! I will miss her. Such a fantastic lady who was the embodiment of class! She always encouraged the neighborhood girls to live life with an adventurous heart! She will be remembered for her kind words and gorgeous smile!
Linda D Tootell Thomas says
I loved Doris and have innumerable memories, all good ones going back very many years. I will forever remember when she, Barb and sometimes Gary came to my Helena house where we lost time visiting and enjoying one another on the front porch (happened countless times). Despite her advancing age and periodic health challenges, Doris was always loving, positive and interested in others. I adopted her as my second mother, such a dear one. Rest in peace, dear Doris…you will be missed.💞
Christine Gore Berg says
Dear Norma and Barbara
I am Christy Gore Berg. Your dear Dad worked for my Dad and Mom for many years at Weggenman’s Market. Your Mom and I have stayed in touch until about a year ago with Christmas cards. What an amazing lady she was! I have fond memories of both Willie and Doris and extend my sympathy to all the family at the time of this great loss!
Becky says
Remembering our “Grandma-Next-Door!” Doris was the definition of strength and independence! She was so loving and kind, and had a sense of confidence about her that was beautiful. I will always keep my memories of her close to my heart, and I will miss her deeply.
Larry and Marsha Wilson says
So, so sorry to hear of Doris passing. What an inspiration she was to so many. She was Larry’s best date and he will carry on her birthday. Our condolences to everyone.
Ellen Blankenship says
It is clear to me that everyone held Doris very close to their hearts. What a great legacy she has left. I loved my Doris time.
Love to all.
Sarah Herold says
Doris was one of the most inspiring ladies of all time. Her grace, appearance, dedication, knowledge, compassion, godliness, and so many more words describing her, inspired all who knew her. A group of us joined her for lunch once a month at Touchmark. She was always the “guest of honor”… a well deserved position. I feel blessed to be one of her friends.
Jackie Little says
Barbara, I didn’t have the pleasure of, personally, knowing your Mom, but I feel Ike I did through you! She sounds like an amazing woman and I know she will be missed by many. Especially, you! My heart is with you at this difficult time. Take care and keep those memories close to your heart always. I’m here if you need to chat! Love, Jackie
Jan Wilbur says
Dear Barbara, sorry I never got to know your dear Mom in person, I do remember all the wonderful things you told me about her. She was clearly an awesome and well loved woman. You are in my thoughts and prayers especially now and know as the deep sadness at her loss will pass in time, you will be left with all the wonderful memories. Love to you and your family, dear friend💕🙋🏻
Joy Edgar says
I knew Doris from the First Presbyterian Church here in Helena. She was such a sweet, loving & lovable little lady! Thanks to the Deacons for taking communion to Doris and friends at Touchmark and visiting faithfully. My love and prayers go out to her famiy and dear friends in Christ.