Evelyn Ellen (Price) Eslinger

Evelyn Ellen (Price) Eslinger, 94, of Wasola, MO passed away June 27, 2020 at her residence. She was born to Scott Lee and Gladys (Hill) Price on August 26, 1925, in Werner, North Dakota. After experiencing some very harsh winters, the Price family decided to move to Missouri when Evelyn was four and they settled on a farm just north of Gainesville.

She met her husband-to-be, Royce Eslinger, while attending Gainesville High School. Much of their courtship was carried on through letters while he was serving in the Army during WWII. Just months after his return in 1946, they were married.

Royce and Evelyn had six children. Evelyn was a stay-at-home Mom who always had a big garden, which meant much canning. She also taught herself to sew and clothes for the family as they were growing up. She gave each of her children a homemade quilt when they were married. Each grandchild received one of her quilts upon graduating from High School and each great-grandchild received a baby blanket.

While still a child, Evelyn, like so many others in the community, taught herself to play the guitar. She also learned to play the mandolin and the drums. Though none of her children played these instruments, some of her grandchildren do.

In addition to being a homemaker, Evelyn raised turkeys, ran the local Dairy Princess and worked as a nurse's aide. She was available to help many families when loved ones were dying and she was especially thankful to family who cared for her during her declining health enabling her to stay in her own home.

Over the past few years, Evelyn suffered from Scleroderma, which attacked her lungs leaving her dependent upon oxygen. As with all other challenges, she met this one with courage and a positive attitude, even when she lost her husband after 72 years of marriage. She loved and continued to inspire her family to the end.

Evelyn died on June 27 – just two months shy of her 95 ^th birthday surrounded by many family members. Just the previous year, she had completed her last quilt.

Evelyn was predeceased in death by: her husband (Royce); children Louise, Calvin and Evelina. She is survived by three daughters: Linda (Anthony) Wasilkoff, Ona (Raymond Boyd) and Glenda Eslinger; 12 grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She is remembered with love and leaves behind a lasting legacy.

Memorial services for Evelyn will be held at a later date. Cremation services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO.