Evelyn Marie Stueve Hachmeister, 94 of Natoma, Kansas, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2010 at the Rooks County Health Center, Plainville, Kansas after complications from a head injury.    

Evelyn was born August 17, 1915 in Cook County, Illinois near Bensenville, to John and Bertha Lemkuhl Stueve.  Sixty four years ago she married Arthur Hachmeister on May 11, 1946 following WWII.  Their friendship began through two years of correspondence while Arthur was stationed with the Asiatic Pacific Task Force in the Aleutian Islands before meeting and marrying.  

Evelyn was gifted in music, playing the piano and singing.  As a child she sang special songs in church with her two cousins and their fathers.  Later the three girls formed a trio, The Cousinettes, singing on WLS Chicago Radio “Saturday Night Barn Dance”, for RCA experimental television, and for the US troops.   She worked for two department stores, Marshall Fields and Carson Pierre Scott in Chicago and was also a proof reader for a major publishing company.  She was confirmed in the Evangelical United Brethren Church of Bensenville, Illinois where she was a life member.  With her husband she attended St. John Lutheran Church in Russell for more than 30 years where they often served as greeters.

Evelyn was called a Proverbs 31 woman as she labored in love for her family and community.  She was a member and past officer of The Natoma American Legion Ladies Auxiliary and the EHU/ Natoma Self Culture Club.  She belonged to the Natoma Bridge Club and was a 4-H and cub scout leader   She was an excellent seamstress, cook, artist, decorator, gardener, musician, and teacher passing on her skills to her family and many others.  Her compassion stretched beyond her family into the community and Christian ministries.  She also was involved with the Natoma Community Choir for over 30 years.

Survivors include her beloved husband Arthur of the home; one brother, Fredric Stueve, Leonor, Illinois; one daughter, Laah Tucker and husband Terry, Rogers, Arkansas; one son, John Hachmeister and wife Diane, Oskaloosa, Kansas; six grandchildren, Aaron Tucker, Rogers, Arkansas, Arielle and husband  Thomas McLarty, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lucas Hachmeister, Lawrence, Kansas, August and Annamaya Hachmeister, Oskaloosa, Kansas; and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by four Stueve brothers: Elton, William, John, and Warren.

A celebration service of her life will be held Thursday, July 22, 10:30 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.   Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Natoma Lutheran Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M.  on Wednesday, July 21, 2010 at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell  with family present from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Memorials are suggested to the music ministry of St. John Lutheran Church of Russell, Kansas.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, who is in charge of these arrangements.