Evelyn Dobson

Evelyn Gladys Dobson, age 96, was called to her eternal home in Heaven on December 11, 2022. Just two weeks ago she sat at the Thanksgiving table and thanked God for saving her from her sin, and quoting many Bible verses from memory explained that whenever God called her home, she was ready.

Evelyn was born on February 19, 1926 in Bloomfield, Montana to John and Catherine (Tieszen) Schultz. Her early years were spent on a farm in eastern Montana near the Badlands where they raised sheep, but also had cows, chickens and pigs as well as other farm animals.

While a young girl of 8 she developed a rash on her leg that she irritated until it got infected. Having to go to town to get it treated she stayed with her grandparents in Richey for two weeks and was introduced to daily Bible reading and prayer. On the second Sunday, just before her grandparents took her home, the pastor explained how important it was to be saved. Riding home from Richey after the service she tried to confess all of her sins but still did not have peace. Then she remembered a Bible verse she had memorized: "As many as received Him (Jesus), to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name" (John 1:12).  She prayed a simple prayer- "Lord, I receive you as my Savior," and the assurance of God's promise fulfilled was present in her life then and when she sat at our Thanksgiving table and made sure we all knew she was ready for Heaven.

Her education began in a little one room country school. While in 7th grade her father left the farm and took the family to Richey, Montana where she continued her education. Her mother also began taking the children to church to continue their Christian education. While in 8th or 9th grade a missionary from Africa visited the church and challenged the church concerning Christian service. Evelyn responded to the invitation, surrendering her life for Christian service. She graduated from High School one semester early. and desiring to earn money to pay for Bible College, moved to Glendive, Montana to room with her sister. She found work at the hospital and the money saved allowed her to later attend St. Paul Bible Institute.

While in Glendive she met Kenneth Donald Dobson and love blossomed into an engagement. Because World War II had begun, Don was drafted and sent to boot camp and then to the South Pacific.  Evelyn took the train to St. Paul to attend St. Paul Bible Institute.

While Don was serving in the South Pacific one of his duties was to help take over warehouses. In one of those warehouses he found a Japanese silk parachute which he was allowed to take home. That parachute became Evelyn's wedding dress. Evelyn was at St. Paul Bible Institute at the time and Don would visit her. They made plans to be married during Christmas break back home in Richey, Montana. They were married on December 22, 1945, during a blinding snow storm. Because of the storm they spent their honeymoon night in an upstairs bedroom in the pastor's home. She was 19 and Don was 21.

While serving in the South Pacific the Lord burdened Don for Christian missionary service. So, together they returned to St. Paul Bible Institute. After children came along it was necessary for Evelyn to concentrate on being a wife and mother so that Don could complete his Bible Institute training.

After graduation they went to Norman, Oklahoma for linguists training, preparing to serve as missionaries to the Indians. Though they both began language school, it was decided that Mom should stay home with the two boys, Floyd and David. From language school they moved to Onigum, Minnesota, across Walker Bay from Walker, MN, to minister to the Chippewa Indians. Life was hard: Don carried water from the lake for everything except drinking which was carried in a five gallon bucket from 100 yards away. He hauled coal and chopped firewood for the kitchen stove which cooked their food and heated the house. Frost formed on the inside of the house walls up to three feet from the floor. Mom's observation about Onigum was that they "survived." Ministry took them from Onigum to Fort Thompson, SD where they worked with the Sioux Indians. While there Don gained understanding of Bible principles that later led him to Mitchell, SD to pastor a small Baptist church. From there God took them to Sioux Falls, SD to start a Baptist Church in the eastern side of the city.  After several years and a church being established they moved to Leadville, CO where they served for over 20 years finishing up at Faith Baptist Church in Fruita, CO. They retired in Grand Junction and now, from their home in the Fruitvale area, God has taken them both to be with Him in Heaven.

Evelyn, by disposition and necessity was a hard working wife and mother, frugal to a fault, able to turn almost nothing into nutritious meals for her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, all siblings except one, Melvina (Bert), and her husband (Don). She is survived by her seven children: Floyd  Dobson (Eileen), David Dobson (Yvonne-deceased), Paul Dobson (Linda), Steven Dobson (Carol), Ronald Dobson (Judy), Leslie Dobson (Terry) and Donna Boeddeker (Craig). She left behind 24 grandchildren (3 deceased), 61 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Please remember Evelyn as a faithful, God honoring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and friend, one who spent time daily reading and listening to the Bible and praying for her family and friends.

A Service in memory of Evelyn G. Dobson will be held at Pear Park Baptist Church, 3102 E Road, Grand Junction, CO at 2PM on Monday, December 19th with a viewing opportunity from 1-1:50PM.  Burial will take place on Thursday, December 29th at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2830 Riverside Pkwy, Grand Junction, CO at 1PM.

Memorial Contributions in her name can be made to Pear Park Baptist Church Christian School in care of Pear Park Baptist Church.

Services have been entrusted to Browns Cremation and Funeral Services.