Elma Evans

Elma Tracy Evans, 93, a housewife, of Craig, Montana died May 16, 2013 at a local hospital of a hip fracture and complications of severe COPD.Her memorial service will be held May 24, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. in Craig Community Center (Craig School Gym). Interment will be in Craig Cemetery.Cremation has taken place. Schnider Funeral Home is handling Arrangements.Tracy was born and raised on a farm in Williston, ND. After leaving home in ND and coming west Tracy spent some time in WA State before returning to MT in 1938-39 to settle in the Great Falls/Wolf Creek/Craig area.She waitressed and did dishes at the Stockmens Caf and Club Cafeteria in Great Falls.She went on to cook, clean, sew etc. for the Rock Creek Ranch in the Craig-Dearborn area.Tracy married Harold McCurdie and had 2 children, Edward and Grace. They divorced and she married Stub Spry but they too were divorced. She then married Charlie Williams, the love of her life.He died of a heart attack trying to get their belongings out of their burning house.In 1953 Tracy married Charles H. Evans and two girls were born, Joyce and Annie. In 1958 or 59 they also divorced.After that Tracy built her home in Craig; was a custodian at the Craig school for a number of years; she also milked a cow, sold or gave away milk and cream, raised chickens, made tons of jelly.Somehow the locals always knew when the baking/canning was going on as theyd always stop by and go home with a jar of jelly and /or a loaf of bread.She also made great lefse.Tracys last job before retiring was for Babe Hilger at the Gates of the Mountains where she cooked and cleaned for the Hilgers for a season, before returning to Craig and her home, remaining there until she went to Golden Eagle Plaza Assisted living in Great Falls in June of 2012.After adjusting to the assisted living life style, she enjoyed herself and was always ready to play cribbage with anyone who knew how and if you didnt know shed teach you; only to beat you more often than not. Tracys hobbies included gardening, cooking, canning, hunting, bird watching and playing cribbage.Tracy was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and four sisters. Also preceding her were Charlie Williams, Charles Harold Evans, Stub Spry, Harold McCurdie.She is survived by her daughters; Ann (Larry) Henry, of Chandler TX, Joyce Evans of Helena MT, Grace Parenteau, of Eureka, MT, son; Edward McCurdie, WA State, sisters Pearl Gladstone, Auburn, WA, Leona (Harold) Ballard, Central Point, OR, brother; Carmen Timmreck, Longview, WA, eight grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.Memorials can be given in Elmas (Tracy) name to Peace Hospice, 1101 26th St S. great Falls, MT 59405.