Evelyn Edna Markham was born in Fenwood, SK on May 30, 1921, the daughter of Elvina and Adolph Bittner. She was the eighth of eleven children and the fifth of seven daughters. She died on Friday, January 25, 2013 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, Yorkton, SK after a very brief illness. Evelyn grew up on the family farmsteads near Fenwood and later south of Yorkton. She attended Simpson School and the Yorkton Collegiate Institute, completing the Commercial Course. She then went to work at the hospital in Yorkton where she made many life long friends including one who introduced her to Harold Markham. On June 19, 1947 Evelyn married Harold. Together they were a great team, married for 53 years until Harold died on November 8, 2000. Evelyn and Harold had one child, Susan Evelyn. Three weeks after Susan's birth they moved into their new home at 192 Second Avenue South in Yorkton. That was Evelyn's home for the next 62 years until she moved to The Bentley Retirement Community in late 2010. Evelyn lived life fully. She worked outside the home for over three decades in administration at the Yorkton hospital, seeing many groups of nursing students complete their programs. She held many offices in the Northern Star Rebekah Lodge. Evelyn sang in the St. Andrew's United Church Choir for well over 40 years. She taught Sunday School and served on several church committees over her 60 years of active involvement with St. Andrew's. Her family, home and large yard were the centre of Evelyn's life. Entertaining her family and friends was very important to her. She could be relied upon to produce wonderful events with linen, crystal, china and silver. Over the years she had many hobbies that brought visitors to her home and who filled the house with laughter. She made wine. She supplied cookies to folks far and near and even by mail to Nova Scotia. She did photography that won prizes at the Yorkton Exhibition. But most of all, Evelyn liked to travel. Summer trips with Harold and Susan were an annual tradition whether it was to the Black Hills and the Dakotas, the Peace River Country, Victoria, San Francisco, or Expo 67. Souvenirs always returned to decorate the house. In later years, she and Harold attended many reunions of Harold's army 8th Reconnaissance Regiment in Canada and abroad. Their overseas travels took them to England, France and Holland. Spending retirement winters in Palm Springs was always a special treat and the various rented condos there were a place for friends and relatives to drop in for warmth and hospitality. Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, Adolph and Elvina Bittner; her husband, Harold; her four brothers, Albert, August, Irving and Edward (in infancy); five of her sisters, Minda Lindenbach, Lillie Jonat, Freda Schindler, Hilda Hartt and Alice Roberts. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Markham-Starr and her husband, John Starr of Wolfville, NS; her sister, Lorraine Speers of Toronto, ON; many nieces and nephews, and a host friends. Funeral Services were held on Thursday, January 31, 2013 from St. Andrew's United Church in Yorkton, SK with Reverend Walter Farquharson officiating. The organist, Judy Berg, led the congregation and members of St. Andrew's United Church Choir in the singing of the hymns, "Great Is The Faithfulness", "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God" and "Ode to Joy". The Choir Anthem was "Be Strong in the Lord". Evelyn's daughter, Susan Markham-Starr remembered her mother in tribute and eulogy. The Interment Service followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Donald Roberts, Rodney Schindler, Ian Hack, Brittany Hack, Gwen Joa and Derek Schindler serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
