Evelyn Marie Baker Wageman passed away peacefully on the evening of June 21, 2013 from complications of pneumonia, and was surrounded by loving family members. She was born on February 5, 1925 in Competition, Missouri to Emmett and Julia Maretta Trumbo Baker. She married the love of her life, Ray Charles Wageman, on August 16, 1948 in Springfield.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, Hobert Eugene Baker and Julius Arden Baker, six brothers-in-law, John Lawrence Wagemann, William Henry Wagemann, Roy Frederick Wageman, Floyd Franklin McCroskey, Ivy Leo Rogers, and James Arthur Barta; and three sisters-in-law, Jean Williams Wagemann, Anna Louise Wageman McCroskey, and Ruth Marie Wageman Rogers.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 65 years, Ray, of the home; son Stephen Ray and wife Kristine Stebbins Wageman of The Woodlands, Texas; daughter Gere Lynn Masters and husband Mark of Springfield; three granddaughters, AnneClaire and Caroline Grace Wageman of The Woodlands, and Britt Nicole Masters of Denver, Colorado; three sisters-in-law, Dora Stopgate Baker and Erma Payne Wagemann, both of Springfield, and Dorothy Faye Wageman Barta, of Lousville, Ohio; her aunt, Treva Murrell Baker, of Marshfield; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Having spent her youth living on the family farm near Manes, Evelyn was a graduate of Mountain Grove High School, where her name appears on a tablet in the Alumni Park. After graduation, she spent two years teaching school in a rural one-room schoolhouse. Using the money she had saved, she then attended Southwest Missouri State Teacher’s College (now MSU), and majored in home economics with a minor in art. Evelyn worked at Gillioz Theater in the concession stand while at SMS, and was a stewardess for American Airlines, based out of Chicago, Illinois.
After World War II was over, Evelyn and Ray met at SMS and were later married. They spent time during their early marriage in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and later Maryville, Tennessee, when Ray was recalled to duty in the Korean War. Following the war, they returned to Springfield in 1952, where they reared their family. Evelyn was extraordinary in her roles as homemaker, wife, mother, and grandmother, caring for those around her with hard-working dedication and self-sacrifice. Style, fashion, and grace were her hallmarks, and she entertained in their home frequently, where guests always ended up around the kitchen table joking and relaxing. Not only was she a fabulous cook known for her great pies, she frequently designed and constructed clothing for herself and her family.
A 55-year member of Sorelle Club of Springfield, a philanthropic women’s organization, Evelyn also played in several bridge clubs and tennis leagues, frequently traveling to Hilton Head Island for tennis vacations. She continued playing tennis well into her mid-80’s, competing with much younger women. She and Ray loved to travel, and made several trips to Europe and Hawaii, as well as taking countless summer boating trips to Table Rock Lake. Lady Bears basketball and Springfield Lasers tennis games were sources of great enjoyment to her as well. She had a spunky spirit, a lively sense of humor, and keen wisdom and common sense. She will be missed sorely by all who had the privilege of knowing her and loving her.
At Evelyn’s request, her remains will be cremated and laid to rest at the Missouri Veterans’ Cemetery at a later date, with no funeral service. In accordance with her wishes, a visitation will be held in Greenlawn Funeral Home East on Saturday morning, June 29, from 10 until noon. The family prefers no flowers, however, memorial contributions may be made to Ozark Greenways, Omega Healthcare Foundation, or other charities of the donor’s choice.