Obituary: Evelyn Muchow
Evelyn Muchow, age 94, of Hillpoint, WI, was called from this life to Life Eternal on December 1, 2020 following complications from a fall. Evelyn Edna Stabnaw was born on March 13, 1926, the daughter of Fred and Margaret (Gretchen) (Gudenschwager) Stabnaw. She was born on their farmstead in the Township of Washington, Sauk County, Wisconsin. Evelyn was to live on four different farmsteads during her lifetime; each just a few miles apart, all close to Hillpoint. In 2003 she “moved to town”, living in an apartment, and then a house in Reedsburg. Most recently she resided with her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Pat Farber on Ski Hill Road.
As an infant, Evelyn was baptized into the Christian faith. She attended grammar school at Hickory Park, rural Hillpoint. Her early religious instruction caused her faith to grow and on June 25, 1939, Evelyn was among those confirmed at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Tuckertown. Her Confirmation verse – Psalm 37:4 – says: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”
Evelyn continued her education at the Lime Ridge High School, graduating in 1944. She then attended Sauk County Normal School in Reedsburg, graduating in 1946. Immediately following graduation, Evelyn began her teaching career. She taught at Eli Valley (1946-1949), Hickory Park (1949-1951, Hillpoint (1951-1954), and Carr Valley (1954-1955. These were rural schools where the teacher often taught all eight grades and was the janitor and playground supervisor as well. She had as few as 11 students one year and as many as 49. She was an old-fashioned teacher with beautiful penmanship and strict discipline. After attending night classes and summer school, Evelyn also earned a degree from Platteville State Teacher’s College, Platteville, Wisconsin.
Then the Lord gave Evelyn one of the greatest gifts He gives, a Christian husband for a companion in life.
Evelyn married Raymond Muchow, another Hillpoint native, at Tuckertown on Wednesday, June 21, 1950 at 12:00 Noon. The couple raised three daughters: Loella Rae, Luann Kay, and Lisa Mae. Evelyn ended her teaching career to become a mother and homemaker. Her family was of prime importance to her. Ray and Evelyn were married for 47 years until his death on July 13, 1997.
Evelyn will be remembered for her teaching abilities; her quiet strength and wit; her escapades with Ray at auctions, coffee shops, and card tables; her unusual meals, including annual turtle feeds; her sewing and crafts. Evelyn loved to sew, sometimes not even needing a pattern. She also enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and quilting.
She sewed balls of scraps that were woven into beautiful rugs. When on the farm, Evelyn raised and sold dressed poultry. She decorated the yard with a blooming plant in every corner. She was known as “The Wise Woman” when imparting knowledge about making sauerkraut or tying a quilt. Evelyn was an avid reader (before her eyesight began to fail), and a fan of the Milwaukee Brewers. But above all, she gave of herself to her family – her time, her help, her resources, and her wisdom. Her home was always open to her children and grandchildren.
As a life-long member of St. John‘s Ev. Lutheran Church of Tuckertown, and then Hillpoint, Evelyn was privileged to be assured of the Lord’s love for her, and of her salvation in Jesus Christ, through Word and Sacrament. She was a Sunday school teacher for many years. Evelyn’s faith is summarized in the words of her favorite hymn, “Beautiful Savior.”
Grateful for having shared her life are her children: Loella and Don Breight, Luann and Louis Hoff, Lisa and Pat Farber, all local. She is further survived by her precious grandchildren: Patrick and Christal Farber, Melanie Farber and friend Bill Koenig, Erich and Arielle Breight, Daniel and Becky Hoff, Lucas Farber and fiancée Haley Johnson, Amanda and Michael Radke, Courtney and Taylor Christensen, Celeste and Nathan Teran, Rachel Hoff, and Naomi Hoff. Evelyn felt especially blessed to be able to spend time with her great-grandson Aidan Patrick Farber. She recently was able to hold her great-granddaughter, Brynn Katheryn Christensen, in her arms.
Also surviving Evelyn are her nephew and his wife, Wayne and Joan Stabnaw of Kaukauna; her niece and husband, Lois and Ron Mueller; their son, Chris Mueller and family of Platteville; and their daughter, Laurel Mueller. She is further survived by her sisters-in-law: Della (Duane) Griffin, Dolores Muchow, as well as nieces and nephews in the Muchow families.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Ray; her brother and his wife, Everett and Elizabeth Stabnaw; her great-nephew, Curtis Mueller; and Ray’s siblings, Ernest, Grace, Marvin, Roger, Harlen and his wife June.
Funeral services for Evelyn will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Hillpoint with Pastor Daniel Lewig and Pastor James Korthals officiating. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg, and on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the church. Memorials of remembrance may be made to St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Hillpoint.
