Evelyn June Blubaugh, age 79, a resident of Olathe, Kansas, passed away Saturday, September 3, 2022, in Olathe. She was born May 19, 1943, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of Marcus Oliver Studebaker and Pearl Leah Long. Froman early age, Evelyn was raised by her grandparents, William and Lucille Long on the family farm near Westphalia, Kansas. She attended Pleasant Valley Rural School and St. Teresa’s Catholic School and went on to graduate from the Westphalia High School with the Class of 1961. The Long and Blubaugh families were neighbors and friends in Westphalia; however, the romance between Evelyn and Russell began at the skating rink in Iola, Kansas. They were married on June 8, 1961. Together, Evelyn and Russell settled into life on the farm. Evelyn’s home was always a beehive of activity as she worked to maintain the day to day behind the scenes operations of the farm. She cooked for their farmhands and anyone else who happened to show up at their home at noon.
In 1985, Russell and Evelyn found it necessary to move off the farm and chose to move to Olathe. Life in the city presented a new set of opportunities, as garage sales were plentiful, fabric stores and garden centers were just around the corner and department stores and supermarkets were always having a big sale. Evelyn was ready with her hands full of coupons or Kohl’s Cash. Everyone knew if Evelyn wasn’t home, she was probably at Dillons. Evelyn will be remembered for her excellent cooking and baking, as well as her talents with a needle and thread. She made many a dress for her daughters and granddaughters, and also for their Barbie and baby dolls. Many children have been the recipient of one of Evelyn’s baby blankets. Evelyn was a devoted wife and mother and a loving grandmother to her four granddaughters and worked hard to make special memories with them all. She will be lovingly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Survivors include her husband, Russell, of the home in Olathe, her two daughters, Diane Hastert (Duane) of Garnett, Kansas and Deann Mitchell (Greg) of Olathe, Kansas; four granddaughters, Meagan Ingold (Josh), Lauryn Hastert (Jesse Linzay), Shelby Ellis (Tim) and Sydney Gray (Tristan) and two great-grandsons, Carter and Kaysen Ingold. Also surviving are two half-brothers, Dan Krauth and Marvin Studebaker (Maria) and a half-sister, Beverly Poe. Evelyn was preceded in death by twin great-granddaughters, Marcie and Jaycie Ellis and a half-brother, Steve Studebaker.
Pastor Chris Goetz will conduct funeral services at 2:30 P.M. Thursday, September 8th at the First Christian Church, 200 S. Walnut St., Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow in the MontIda Cemetery. Following services at the cemetery, the family will gather back at the church for a time of fellowship. Donations in her memory may be sent to the Garnett Public Library, 125 W. Fourth St., Garnett, KS 66032 or left in care of the funeral home, Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
