EVELYN ZAUNER YOUNG
March 15, 1935 – March 27, 2024
Evelyn Mae Marr was born March 15, 1935 in Springview, Nebraska to Fred and Clara Marr. She was the youngest of a large blended family with 8 children. She grew up with her parents, older sister, Gladys Marr Welch and brother Dick Chamberlain. She lived on a farm till she was 6. In1941 they moved to Bartlett, Nebraska to run the towns café, living above it. Evelyn began working at the café at the early age of 7. There was no running water at the café and in their home, so it was the girls' job daily to retrieve water from the town's hand pump well a block away. In1953 Evelyn graduated from Wheeler County High School, Nebraska with a class of 15. In high school Evelyn enjoyed singing, playing piano, twirling baton and playing basketball.
At 16 Evelyn met Dale Joseph Zauner,19, while roller skating in Neligh, Nebraska. As Dale worked as the Rink Manager they spent many a night, waltzing on skates together and fell in love. After graduation, they married on September 26, 1953. She was 18, he was 21. They lived in Tilden, Nebraska. She worked at a Thrift store and he drove truck. In 1956, they had a son, Duane Eugene Zauner. Looking for work they moved to San Pedro, California, where their youngest son, Danny Lee Zauner was born in 1957, Torrance, California.
In 1959 they settled in Bakersfield, California. Dale worked for Dickson Trucking and in 1967 for A.S. Mason. Evelyn was a stay-at-home mom and then worked for Beeline Clothing. In 1967 she began driving a mini school bus and eventually drove a 78-passenger school bus for Bakersfield City Schools. Dale retired from A.S. Mason, as a petty bone operator at 55, and when Evelyn turned 55, she retired after 23 years.
In 1965 their family joined the Boat and Ski Club. They were active and made many life-long friends. As Social Chairman, Evelyn organized many events, campouts, and dances. She LOVED to dance! She enjoyed water skiing, swimming, and baking. She had fun crafting and completing sewing projects, many with her sister-in-law, Judy Zauner, who was like a sister to her.
Dale and Evelyn traveled to all 50 states and helped form The Tight Turtles Club, a traveling motor home group with 14 couples. Years later they became snowbirds to Yuma, Arizona, for 6 months out of the year where they made many friends from all over. In 2008 Evelyn lost her husband, Dale. They had been married 55 years.
In 2009 she met and married Ken Young of Oregon. They enjoyed dancing and traveling together. In 2012 Evelyn lost her second husband Ken, of 4 years.
In 2013 she met Jack Unverferth of Yuma, Arizona. They met when Jack asked Evelyn to dance. They fell in love and were joined together in May, 2014. He took care of her and oh, how they loved to dance together!
After 58 years Evelyn moved from her East Bakersfield home to The Greens. There she met a wonderful group of ladies who were so good to her. Evelyn lost her third love Jack in 2020. They had been together for 7 years.
Evelyn moved to Brookdale Riverwalk, where she made many more friends. She loved to go down to music and dance a song or two. The employees at Brookdale were so kind to her.
Next Evelyn moved into a home with Dean's Care Villa. She was cared for so lovingly by Gloria, as well as by, Carlos, Lando, and John.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Dale, Ken, and Jack, sister Gladys, and brother Dick.
Evelyn is survived by her son, Duane, his wife, Alice, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, their 3 daughters, Melissa, Sabrina (Matt), and Rebecca (Joe) and their 9 grandchildren and a granddaughter-in-law.
Evelyn is also survived by son, Danny, his wife, Kay, of Bakersfield, California, their 2 daughters, Mackenzie, Mackaylee (Donny) and their 8 grandchildren.
She passed at 89 and will be missed. She was well-loved by her family and many, many friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of your choice. A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 3:30 pm at Living Grace Community Church, 5207 Young Street, Bakersfield, CA 93311.