Evelyn Brandis

Evelyn Fosse Brandis went to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 10, 2011, 10 days shy of her 96th birthday. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family and friends. Evelyn was born July 20, 1915, to Knute (K.O.) and Bessie Fosse in International Falls, Minn. When she was 3, they moved to Washington, where Ev spent the rest of her childhood. She went on to attend University of Washington, majoring in music; she was a member of Delta Gamma sorority. She married John (Jack) Brandis Sr. on Jan. 7, 1939. For them, it was love at first sight, much to the chagrin of Ev’s roommate, who was dating Jack at the time. Shortly after their meeting, Ev left on a six-month cruise with her sister, Viv. The time and distance did not diminish their love for each other, as Jack patiently waited for her return. Together they had three children, John Jr. (Jack), Gail and Susi. While Jack was vice president of Georgia-Pacific and later the owner of his own lumber/plywood operations (Brand-S), they traveled the world, spending a great deal of time overseas. They also spent much of their time at their home in La Quinta, Calif. Throughout the years, they spent the warm months in either Portland or Corvallis, and the winter months in La Quinta. Ev continued to enjoy this home up until her return last month. Ev eventually made her northern home in Sunriver until moving back to Corvallis at the age of 91. She would giggle and say, “Everyone should build a new home at 91.” Jack and Ev maintained a very active social life in which they were members of the Waverly Country Club, the Mac Club, the Portland Golf Club, the La Quinta Country Club, a badminton club, the Tillicums and many, many others. Ev enjoyed baking cookies at Christmastime with her close friends. She was an avid golfer, and continued to golf up until the age of 90. One of her favorite memories was of hitting a hole in one at age 80 at Broken Top Club in Bend. She is survived by her two daughters, Gail Lind and Susan Decker; daughter-in-law Judi Brandis; 13 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her beloved cats, Tutu and Shiva, who rarely left her side on her final day. She was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Jack Sr., in November 1972, and her beloved son, Jack Jr., on Feb. 7, 2011. She was the last surviving Fosse sibling, as she was preceded in death by her brother, Ken, and sisters Vivian and Helen (Suzy). In remembrance, donations in Ev’s name can be made to Benton Hospice Service, Mario Pastega House or the American Cancer Society, in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330. Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Friday, July 15, at Northwest Hills Community Church on Walnut Boulevard in Corvallis. Burial will follow at Oak Lawn Memorial Park. A reception will follow at the Brandis family farm, 5760 N.W. Oak Creek Road, Corvallis, OR 97330.

Tributes

Evelyn Brandis

July 20, 1915 - July 10, 2011