Edna May (Evans) Timms

Our mom, Edna May Evans was born June 24, 1932 in Bend. Edna Maygrew up in Tumalo, Ore., until her freshman year of high school, when she moved to Burns. 

Edna was from a hard working family without a lot of financial resources, but loved to sew all her own clothes. She loved sports, playing basketball and tennis as a young girl, and became a cheerleader at BUHS during her high school years. The end of her junior year she went to the prom with Eugene “Geno” Timms and they started dating, beginning a life long relationship. After her senior year at BUHS she became a dental assistant for Dr. Hibbert. 

In 1955, she married Geno in his junior year of college, moving to Salem and working for a dentist, while Geno finished college at Willamette. Geno went off to the draft and Edna came back to Burns to work for Dr. Hibbert again. While Geno was away, Edna stayed busy transforming their first home by laminating the floors, woodwork, wallpapering and upholstering furniture herself. She was a great, self-taught artist who loved painting still art, decoupage, knitting and crocheting. 

Before there were home renovation shows like Fixer Upper, Geno and Edna purchased the Old Hospital on Egan street so Mom didn’t have to keep redoing the wallpaper of their house every season. Edna would convert an Old Hospital into a building with eight apartments by knocking down walls, framing, painting and laying carpet all herself. She sealed the windows, stained doors, made blinds and did all the landscaping outside. 

Edna was well read, politically savvy, and more inclined to listen than talk. She was great company, with her funny one liners. When Geno became State Senator, Edna became his legislative aid for 22 years. Everyone on the floor would say they wish they had just half of Edna because she was such a hard worker. She would keep Geno on task, schedule and handle all constituent calls and correspondence.  She was tireless, maintaining a full schedule always, and even beating cancer, twice!  They were a great team!

When Geno and Edna left the legislature soon after dementia and Alzheimer’s set in for Geno. Edna never left Geno’s side, tending to all his needs to his last days. They both, were each others light, strength and comfort, he never forgot her, and how good she was to him during the seven years he was afflicted with the disease. She always put Geno first. If we could think of one word to describe our mother it would be loyal. She was our rock and we could always depend on her.

Edna leaves behind her son, Tobi; daughter, Trina; granddaughters, Shelby and Courtney; grandsons, Justin and Jackson; and great-granddaughter, Shasta.

At Edna’s request a small family service will be held in Burns where she will be laid to rest next to the love of her life, Geno. Remembrances may be made to Kids Club, attn: Geno’s Kids Club, PO BOX 1035, Burns, Oregon 97720.

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