Evelyn Twyla Leonhart

Evelyn passed away on Tuesday, August 5, at Sand Ridge Home Care after a long battle with renal failure. She was born on Jan. 6, 1923 to Everett & Dovie Twitty in Kismet, KS and was the oldest of five children. Growing up during the depression, the family had to move many times in search of work. After finally settling in Oregon, Evelyn graduated from West Linn High School in 1941.

In December, 1942, Evelyn met Noble Anderson at a family gathering. Noble, who was from Laramie, WY, was on leave from the U.S. Navy. They were married the following March in Bremerton, WA where he was stationed until being shipped out for duty in the Pacific. Their daughter, Diana, was born while he was at sea. Before Noble could see his daughter, he was killed in action. Evelyn returned to Oregon to be with her parents and baby brother who was born only three month before Diana.

Evelyn met Carl Leonhart about two years later while shopping at the local market where he was a meat cutter. On March 5, 1948, Evelyn and Carl were married and from that union another daughter, Linda was born.

The couple resided in Woodburn, Oregon for the next 50 years until moving to Moses Lake in 1999 to be near their daughters and their families. They resided at Hearthstone Assisted Living for the last several years and both were active at the Moses Lake Senior Center. She was known at Hearthstone as "the sweet little lady" who was married to fun-loving Carl.

Evelyn loved life and never said an unkind word about anyone. She was a very accomplished seamstress and made many beautiful dresses for her girls. She also did needlework and crafts and loved to play games & cards-especially pinochle. Evelyn loved to entertain, and friends and family were always welcome in their home. She and Carl were members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Woodburn, Oregon and then Immanuel Lutheran Church in Moses Lake.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her first husband Noble, mother and father, Dovie and Everett Twitty, and brothers Norman and Daymond Twitty. She is survived by her loving husband, Carl of 66 years and daughters Diana Williamson (Jerry) and Linda Ferguson (John) all of Moses Lake; sister Veda (Gerry) Vistica and brother-in-law Ivan of Woodburn, OR; brother Gary Twitty and sister-in-law Sharon of Springfield, MO; grandchildren DeAnne Clune (Alan) of North Bend, WA, Eric Williamson (Sharma) of Quincy, WA, Lori Ferguson of Ephrata, WA and Brian Ferguson of Moorcroft, WY. Great-grandchildren include: Michelle Pickett (Brian) of Salem, OR; Kristin Boley, Spokane, WA; Ethan, Caleb and Joshua Williamson all of Quincy, WA; Brendan and Charley Ferguson of Moorcroft, WY; and Haven and Kadin Mello of Ephrata, WA.

The family would like to thank the Moses Lake dialysis team, Assured Hospice of Moses Lake, and Evelyn's loving care-givers: Shawn and Jeremy Davis, Martha, Mary, and Savannah at Sand Ridge Home care for all of their love and support.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will take place in the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church chapel, 1142 W Ivy Ave., Moses Lake, on Sunday, August 10 at 3:00pm. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory.