Evelyn Ruth was welcomed into the world by parents Bert and Alice (Doyle) King on August 2, 1927, in a log house that was once used as the Kinghurst Post Office, operated by her grandfather Joseph King. Evelyn joined older sister Oleta, and Albert, Bill, and Joyce followed to complete the family. Growing up, Evelyn and her siblings left their toys in the cubby holes for mail. They had two apple orchards and a large garden with lots of turnips and potatoes. Evelyn started milking cows by hand at only six years old! The King children walked barefoot to school, one block north of S.S. #4, known as the Kinghurst School, where Evelyn attended grades one through nine.

Evelyn began doing housework off and on. In the summers, she picked fruit as a farmerette at Moyer Fruit Camp in the Niagara District, and in the tobacco district. She would hitchhike to Niagara Falls and Beamsville. She began working in Chesley at Silknit and the Rubber Plant for a few years. Evelyn stayed at Spechts with a dozen different ladies and left when she got married. Evelyn met a young man by the name Frederick Carl Ebenau and hit it off instantly. They were married on December 11, 1948, by Rev. Baetz in Chesley, with Bill Ebenau and Oleta King as their witnesses. They honeymooned in Niagara Falls.

As newlyweds, Evelyn and Fred moved into Fred’s parents home farm on Concession 15 in Bentinck. Evelyn saved her money to purchase furniture and a fridge once they moved into their home. Evelyn and Fred’s first baby was their dog Timmy. Fred and his father operated custom threshing machine work in the fall, so Evelyn was left to do the chores, such as milking the cows and gardening. One fall morning, October 19, 1951, to be exact, Evelyn was very happy to see Fred pull in the field with the tractor. Fred left in the afternoon for a sale, but thankfully was home to make it to the Chesley Hospital for the arrival of their first child Gwen. Monty followed in 1953, Mark in 1957, and Scott made the family complete in 1959. As a family, their priority was helping with the many tasks on the farm. The children all helped Evelyn and Fred with the chores. The Ebenau family remained at the farm until 1992, when they moved across the road.

In her spare time, Evelyn enjoyed playing softball, curling, and square dancing, specifically in Williamsford. She was an avid euchre player, learning how to play when she was only ten years old. Evelyn made sock monkeys and was always proud that her sock monkeys were distributed through World Vision, and many were given as gifts for babies. She taught Sunday School and did quilting at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church. Evelyn liked sitting on the couch watching for cardinals as well as watching Wheel of Fortune, and Jeopardy. She did some travelling later in her life, driving out west and east and trips to Alaska, England, Scotland, and Nashville being some highlights.

Evelyn enjoyed her moments with her family. She cherished every moment she had with her grandchildren, and later, her four great-granddaughters. The grandchildren came for school holidays whenever they were free, which was always so special for Evelyn. Thirty years ago, her grandchildren gave her the nickname “Kerm”, and it has stuck ever since. Evelyn lived by the following quote. “Whatever you do, do with all your might. Things done by halves are never done right.” She taught this important message to her children and grandchildren, along with “God is love, pass it on.”

Evelyn “Kerm” Ruth (King) Ebenau of R.R. #1 Chesley, passed away at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Chesley, on Monday, November 4, 2024, in her 98th year.

Loving mother of Gwendolyn Ebenau of R.R. #1 Chesley, Monte of Elliot Lake, Mark and Scott, both of R.R. #1 Chesley. Cherished grandmother of Angela and David (Ashley) and great-grandmother of Brooklyn, Leah, Rylie, and Haylie. Dear sister-in-law of Agnes Beresford King of Walkerton. Evelyn was predeceased by her husband Frederick, daughter-in-law Sandra, her granddaughter Alice, her sisters Oleta McCoy and Joyce (Jim) Bumstead, her brothers Albert and Bill King, and her parents Bert and Alice (Doyle) King.

Visitation will be held at Rhody Family Funeral Home, Chesley on Thursday, November 7, 2024, from 5 – 8 p.m. where a funeral service celebrating Evelyn’s life will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. Interment in Chesley Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Chesley Hospital Foundation or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.