Emma's Obituary
Emma Jean Evans passed away from natural causes on October 2, 2022, at Benefis Hospital.
Jean, or Emma Jean for some, was born in Alton, Illinois on September 9, 1929, to Fred and Addie Mans. After high school, she worked at the local dairy until her marriage to Robert W. Clarke, followed by moves to other states for her husband’s college and graduate studies. During this time, they welcomed daughters Carrie, Erin and Shannon.
Following her marriage to Lionel F. Evans in 1979, she relocated to London, England. Jean spent many happy years in his company, with his children David and Frances and with numerous friends. She enjoyed extensive traveling all over the world and had countless adventures.
After Leo’s death, Jean moved to Montana in 2004. Her time in Great Falls was another satisfying chapter with close relationships at church, as a volunteer at Benefis and continued travel with friends and family to exciting places. She gravitated to interesting people and loved reading and flower gardening. Her friends at the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation formed a group for widows called “Home Aloners” with lively gatherings to celebrate birthdays and special occasions. She gave and received the gift of lifelong friendships everywhere she lived.
Her husbands, parents, four siblings and an infant son preceded her in death. She is survived by daughters, Carrie (Bruce) Mahin of Radford, Virginia, Erin (Mitch) Tropila of Great Falls, Montana, Shannon (Marty) Toscano of Wayne, Pennsylvania; four granddaughters and two (soon three) great-granddaughters.
Special thanks to the dedicated and skilled teams at Benefis, her church for the support given over these years and especially her caregiver and friend, Stephanie Riedle, for the loving care that enabled her to remain in her home exactly as she desired.
