Evelyn Mary Wascher

Evelyn M. Wascher, 95, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, in the loving arms of her son at Touchmark Senior Living in Appleton, WI. She was born Evelyn M. Michalski on April 16, 1929, in Chicago, Illinois, to proud Polish immigrants Hattie and Joseph Michalski.

Evelyn grew up in Cicero, Illinois, where she attended St. Mary of Czestochowa Catholic Church and school. From a young age, she worked at her family’s store before transitioning into retail sales in downtown Chicago. She later became employed at Revere Photoengraving Company, where she met the love of her life, Charles H. Wascher. After several years of courtship, they married in 1959 and enjoyed 58 years of happiness together until Charley’s passing in 2017.

The couple made their home in Downers Grove, Illinois, where they raised their four sons. Ev and Charley moved to Appleton in 2014 to be closer to family. 

Evelyn’s passion for music was a defining aspect of her life. She studied music formally at Roosevelt University in Chicago and participated in many choirs and choral groups in the Chicagoland area. Her beautiful voice graced numerous weddings and formal events over the years. Evelyn and Charley were instrumental in promoting the arts, particularly music, in local schools. She was particularly proud of her initiative, the “Picture Lady Program,” which introduced students in the Downers Grove School District to the appreciation of fine art.

A devoted mother, Evelyn dedicated her life to the moral, spiritual, intellectual, and physical education of her children. She was a constant source of support, love, and encouragement to her sons: Gregory (Deb), a consultant for the financial services industry, residing in Appleton, WI; Jeffery (Julie), a dentist in the Chicago suburbs, with sons Zachary and Max, both engineers; Mark (Gail), an assistant manager at Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, with their daughter Lauren, an education teacher in Nashville; and Thomas (Pamela), a neurosurgeon with The NeuroSpine Center of Wisconsin in the Fox Cities, who has practiced for over 30 years. Evelyn forged a particularly close relationship with Lynn Richwine and Dan Wascher, for which she remained eternally grateful throughout her life

Evelyn will be remembered for her calm demeanor, deep faith in God, creative talents, and unwavering support of her family. She was also known for her patriotism and ability to find joy in the smallest of life’s moments. She delighted in surprising loved ones with her baking, with her kolachki being a particular specialty.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Charles as well as her sisters Ann and Gertrude Michalski (Michaels), who were integral in helping raise her four boys. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends, whose lives were touched by her kindness and warmth.

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 25, 2024, at Touchmark, 2601 Touchmark Drive, Fox Crossing, WI. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, followed by a short religious service from 1:00 to 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Fox Valley Humane Society or the Neenah Animal Shelter, organizations close to Evelyn’s heart.

The Wascher family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff at Touchmark Senior Living for their exceptional care and to Wichmann Funeral Home for their support during this time.

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my mother.” — Abraham Lincoln