Evelyn M. Pinckney

Evelyn M. Pinckney

September 6, 1914 December 28, 2018

Evelyn M. Pinckney, age 104, passed away on Friday, December 28 at Highland Senior Living in Little Falls, Minnesota. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 2 at First United Church, 1000 1st Street S.E., Little Falls with Pastor Anthony Romaine officiating. Lunch will be served following the interment at Oakland Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 4:00-6:00 pm on Tuesday, January 1 at Emblom Brenny Funeral Home, 900 1st Street S.E., Little Falls. Visitation continues on January 2, one hour prior to the service, at the church.

Evelyn Marie Nolte was born on September 6, 1914 on the family farm near Ellsworth, Minnesota to Fred and Martha (Heikes) Nolte. She graduated from Adrian High School in 1932 as valedictorian of her class. Evelyn attended Hamline University on scholarship the first in her family to attend college. Following her studies in education at Mankato State Teachers College, she taught elementary school in North Mankato for five years. At a summer picnic, Evelyn met a tall, dark and handsome musician by the name of Kenneth Pinckney. True love blossomed, and he proposed, Let me call you Sweetheart and the music of their life together began. Evelyn and Ken were married on June 8, 1940 in Mankato. The newlyweds moved to Little Falls, Minnesota where Kenneth taught instrumental music in the public school system. She was happily married to Ken for 48 years until his death on April 30, 1988.

Born six years before Womens Suffrage, Evelyn was a pioneer in her pursuit of higher education and a career. She was a life-long learner, a devoted wife, a dedicated mother, and a loving grandmother and great-grandmother. She enjoyed her work as a substitute teacher and tutor. Needlework, crossword puzzles, reading, cards, concerts, travel, and community involvement filled her days. Evelyn always looked her best and was still a beauty at age 104! Evelyn was a member of First Methodist Church which became First United Church. She participated in the Elizabeth Circle, Bible study, choir, and the U.C.W.A., accepting both leadership and committee positions. Evelyn served as Worthy Matron of the Bethlehem Chapter for the Order of the Eastern Star and as Past President of Chapter BB, P.E.O. Sisterhood, where she was a 63-year member.

Evelyn was a lifetime member of the St. Gabriels Hospital Advocates and volunteered as a Pink Lady for over 25 years. Her community involvement extended to volunteer work with the Camp Fire Girls, the Lindbergh Elementary School P.T.A., the Child Study Club, the Retired Teachers Association, the Weyerhaeuser Museum, and the Friends of the Library. She also supported the Lindbergh Heritage Center, Great River Arts, the Heartland Symphony Orchestra, and The Friends of Linden Hills.

Treasuring her memory, Evelyns three children survive her: Patricia Pinckney of Tarrytown, NY; James Pinckney (Virginia Mager) of Lino Lakes, MN; and Jeanne Sawtell (Timothy) of Geneva, IL. Evelyn adored being Grandma to her three granddaughters: Susan Sawtell Rioux (Matthew) of Baxter, MN; Lindsey Sawtell of Oakland, CA; and Abigail Sawtell McNamara (Drew) of Minneapolis, MN. She was delighted to be Great-Grandma to Andrew and Emily Rioux. She is also survived by her dear niece, Mary Kaye Henrichs Pfeister (Charles).

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenneth; brother Vernon Nolte; sister Doris Nolte Henrichs; sister-in-law Florence Nolte; brother-in-law R.J. Henrichs; and nephew, Barton Henrichs.

Evelyns family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to Highland Senior Livings administration and staff for their loving care of our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Highlands care and friendship since 2010 followed by their comforting presence over these past few weeks was a blessing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the following:

First United Church 1000 1st Street SE, Little Falls, MN 56345.

St. Gabriels Hospital Advocates: 815 2nd Street SE, Little Falls, MN 56345

Playing it Forward: The Kenneth and Evelyn Pinckney Young MusiciansFund:ifoundconnections.org/pif

Playing it Forward/IF405 First Street SE,Little Falls, MN 56345