Evelyn Draper, longtime Garfield area resident, passed away May 27, 2024 at the Fairwinds Assisted Living facility in Spokane. She was 94. A graveside service will be held Friday, May 31, 2024 at 1:30 in the afternoon at the Colfax Cemetery. Evelyn Rita (Russell) Draper was born November 29, 1929. Evelyn was born in Froid, Montana at her grandmother's house as her parents were visiting there for the holidays. Her father, Roy Russell was a farmer but after 5 years of bad crops in Montana, they moved to Spokane when Evelyn was 3 years old. In Spokane Roy eventually opened a shoe repair service. Evelyn's mother, Agnes (Sorensen) Russell died of pneumonia when Evelyn was 6 years old and Evelyn then learned to take care of her 2 little sisters Irene and Vera. In January 1949 Evelyn responded to a help wanted advertisement by Dale Draper. After a brief interview, he hired her to come to the Elberton area to help cook and keep house for him and his parents on their farm. Eventually she told Dale that her pants would stay on until there was a wedding ring on her finger. A few months later they married in Spokane on April 29, 1949. They had 3 sons while living and working on the farm. They stayed happily married until Dale passed on April 6, 2019 just 3 weeks shy of their 70th anniversary. Evelyn was preceded in death by her mother and father, her sisters Irene and Vera and her son Carl Draper. Evelyn is survived by sons Dave Draper and Scott Draper. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. On-line guest book is at www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com Corbeill Funeral Home in Colfax is caring for the family.