Obituary for Evelyn A. Dobratz (2024)

Service Information

Evelyn A. Dobratz, age 106, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at Cedar Crest Estate in Silver Lake, Minnesota.

Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2020, at 2:00 PM, at Peace Lutheran Church in Hutchinson with interment following in the Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.

Visitation will be held two hours prior to the service ALL AT THE CHURCH.

Masks are required and social distancing guidelines will be followed.

Visitation/Gathering

Peace Lutheran Church

400 Franklin Street SW

Hutchinson, MN

Service

Peace Lutheran Church

400 Franklin Street SW

Hutchinson, MN

Funeral Chapel

Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel

899 Highway 15 South

Hutchinson, MN 55350

Phone:(320) 587-2128

Cemetery

Oakland Cemetery

805 Hwy 15 South

Hutchinson, MN

Obituary

Evelyn “Evie” Alice Dobratz was born on April 2, 1914, on her family farm. Her birth was the first recorded birth in Alger Township near Ross, North Dakota. She was the daughter of Paul and Henrietta (Markel) Tabbert. She was baptized on May 24, 1914 at Norwegian Lutheran Church in Stanley, North Dakota. She was later confirmed in her faith by Rev. O.G. Tiemann at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stanley, North Dakota. Evelyn attended country school near Ross, ND and high school in Stanley, North Dakota. During the Great Depression and Dustbowl years, she came to Minnesota when she was 17 to visit an aunt and uncle. She liked the community so much that she stayed and found employment. In Hutchinson, she worked in many homes as a maid and also for Dr. McCurdy, Kennedy’s Department Store, and the Smart Style Shop. In 1935, she returned to North Dakota for a year to be with family and be the chief cook for a threshing crew where she used a wood stove to prepare meals for 40 men. She loved all her jobs and spoke fondly of the tasks and people from all of her experiences.

On February 17, 1939, Evelyn was united in marriage to Arthur Dobratz at the family farm in Hutchinson by Rev. W. J. Schulze. This family was blessed with two children, Margaret and Robert. Evelyn and Art shared 43 years of marriage until Arthur passed away on April 21, 1982.

Evie began her life without indoor plumbing, electricity, or motor vehicles. When speaking of events that she lived and changes she witnessed in her long life, Evie always said, “I could write a book.” A book could be written about Evie too and the many ways she blessed people’s lives. She was known for her endless energy, love for the Lord, and thoughtful ways of doing things for others. Everyone who knew Evie, from her years on the plains of North Dakota to the halls of Evergreen Apartments and Cedar Crest Estate, can attest to her zest for life and can understand her nicknames of Peppy and Speedy. Stories of Evie and her spunk are always told with a smile and a chuckle.

Evie loved being a homemaker and serving at her church, Peace Lutheran, where she was a member of the altar guild, the quilting group, Ladies Aid, and a charter member of the Circle of Care. She also taught Sunday School. She was a member of Burns Manor Auxillary, the Home Project Extension Group, the Bear Lake Sunshine group, and a 4-H Leader. Other activities she enjoyed were listening to polka music, finding deals at rummage sales, and keeping an eye on the weather. She enjoyed gardening, picking strawberries, arts and crafts, cooking, and mending, and used her talents to help others. People who know her were blessed to sample her cookies, peanut brittle, egg coffee, receive a craft she made, wear pants that she patched, or use a quilt that she sewed. She was known as the “Cookie Lady” for the countless sugar cookies she made for family, friends, the church and the blood drive. She faithfully supplied six dozen cookies for the monthly blood drive until she retired at 100. She loved interacting with others and would ask, “Whatcha got cookin’?” or encourage someone with “The good Lord will take care of us.” Even in her last moments, she was leading family members in the Lord’s Prayer and sharing words of wisdom and advice.

Evelyn lived life fully and victoriously until she entered Eternity on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at the age of 106 years, 5 months, 21 days. Her legendary spirit will be missed dearly and will continue to be marveled by those who were blessed to know her.

Evelyn is survived by her:
Daughter, Margaret Wehking and her husband, Delmar, of Parkers Prairie, MN;
Daughter-in-law, Gloria Dobratz, of Hutchinson, MN
Grandchildren, Nancy (David) Bunde, Mark (Jakki) Wehking, Paul Dobratz, Becky (Troy) Puckett, Steven (Amanda) Dobratz, Julie (Zach) Flann, and Jodie (Chris) Pahl;
16 Great-Grandchildren;
2 Great-Great-Grandchildren;
Sister-in-law, Lois Tabbert of Cottage Grove, MN;
Many other relatives, friends, and loving caregivers at Cedar Crest.

Evelyn is preceded in death by her Parents, Paul and Henrietta Tabbert; Husband, Arthur Dobratz, Son, Robert Dobratz; Brother, Ernest Tabbert, Sisters and their spouses, Martha and Oscar Holm, and Elsie and Helmar Lund.