Obituary of Wilma G. Evans

Age 87, of St. Paul, daughter of H. Saul and Sahara Fuerstenberg, born and raised in Chicago, IL and briefly in St Petersburg, FL, passed away peacefully at home on Jan 24, 2016. Artist, dancer, scholar, friend, lover of music, literature and verse, Wilma raised 14 children to possess the same joie de vivre that she expressed her entire life. Wilma studied at Hunter College, and was a student of sculpture at the Art Students’ League of New York. At the Art Students’ League, she was celebrated as a young artist of note. Her work was shown and acquired by Art institutions in New York and Chicago. During her time at Black Mountain College, in Asheville, NC, Wilma studied dance with Merce Cunningham, painting with Josef Albers, and weaving with Anni Albers. There she met and married John Evans, her husband of 62 years. Together they raised a family, first in Alexandria, VA, then Colorado Springs, CO, and finally St. Paul, MN. In her forties, still having and raising her children, Wilma returned to college at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. There she completed undergraduate and graduate work in French and English Literature, Women’s Studies and Art, using photography as her medium. Forever passionate about fine arts, she became a docent at the Weisman Museum to continue learning and sharing her love for modern art. She also began studying and producing watercolor paintings, which became her art practice for over 20 years. She joined her son and daughter-in-law at Lorton Data, where she worked until the age of 81. Wilma is preceded in death by her brother, Samuel; husband, John and son Joseph. She is survived by 14 children, 20 grandchildren 3 great-grandchildren, 2 nieces and 2 nephews. Visitation will be at Willwerscheid Funeral Home, 1167 Grand Ave., St. Paul on Thursday, Jan. 28 from 4-8 PM. Her funeral will be held at Willwerscheid on Friday Jan 29 at 12:30PM with burial at Fort Snelling Cemetery immediately following. Memorials may be made to The Little Sisters of the Poor.