Today’s obituary notices:
- Evelyn Nelson Hildebrand
- Eugene G. Falk
Evelyn Nelson Hildebrand, who was affectionately known to her many dear friends as “Evie,” was born January 16, 1908 in Manchester, England and passed away June 9, 2013 here in the area at the grand age of 105 years, 5 months. She immigrated with her parents, Edward Lawrence and Annie Farrell, to the United States shortly before the First World War.
She attended Sherman Grade School in Tacoma, and is an alumnus of Stadium High School as perhaps the person of most advanced age ever to attend that school. She married Clyde W. Nelson of Tacoma with whom she had two children: Doris Austin of Tacoma and Richard C. Nelson of Seattle. Clyde passed away in 1953 at 47 years. Maybe 20 years later, Evie remarried Ervin “Dick” Hildebrand and spent a long retirement enjoying their families and many trips to Desert Hot Springs, California in their RV.
When their grandchildren began to arrive, her name was changed to “Grammie.” When Grammie turned 100 years of age, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren gave her a magnificent 100th birthday party with music, dancing and dinner to celebrate her and Dick’s long life. Dick passed away shortly thereafter.
In Grammie’s very late years of life she was given tender loving care by her grandchild Randi Anderson and Randi’s family living in Eatonville. Evie had three brothers, Larry, Tom, and Fred, all who passed on before her. She leaves behind her daughter, Doris (Dody), her son Richard, 8 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 6 great-great grandchildren, not to mention many young and older people who esteemed her enjoyment of life. She will be missed by all. A simple graveside memorial is planned.
Eugene G. Falk was born to Carl and Esther Falk on Dec. 23, 1923 and passed away on June 24, 2013. He was raised on a chicken farm near 72nd St. and Waller Road in Tacoma. He attended Waller Road Elementary School, Stewart Jr. High School, and graduated from Lincoln Sr. High School in 1942.
Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an aviation cadet. He enjoyed electronics and during WWII served as a sonar man aboard a minesweeper in the South Pacific. Following his WWII service, Eugene entered The College of Puget Sound where he earned his degrees of B.A., B. Ed, and M.A. It was during those college years he met and married Vivian Taylor on June 6, 1947. They were married for 61 years.
Eugene taught school at a navy base, but most of his career was spent at the Clover Park School District in Lakewood, WA. He taught at Hudtloff Jr. High and was a long-time vice-principal at Lochburn Jr. High when that school opened until his retirement. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, Elks Lodge, V.F.W., Tacoma Outboard Association, and most recently, a volunteer at the Tacoma Lutheran Home.
He is survived by his sons, Steven (Annette) and Gary (Debbie); five grandchildren, Maari, Wendi, Andrew, Amber, and Shelby; and four great grandchildren.
Eugene was a very devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He was always a teacher at heart and those teachings touched many lives.
At Eugene’s request, there will be no service as he said all those in his life know how special they were to him. His final resting place will be at the Old Tacoma Cemetery along side the love of his life, Vivian.