Evelyn A. Rothleutner

On February 25, 2025 Evelyn Rothleutner was reunited with her beloved husband John when she passed away surrounded by family.

Evelyn was born April 28, 1938 to Wilbur and Thelma Brown in Custer, SD, the oldest of four children including Edna, Jim and Joe. Her father worked for the railroad and they moved when his job made it necessary. Living humbly, Wilbur and Thelma raised their family in several communities in the region including Newcastle, WY. In her childhood, Evelyn was a true boxcar kid. The railroad provided living quarters utilizing boxcars and the family lived in the railyard. Wilbur’s job took him from Newcastle to Crow Agency, MT and then back to Newcastle.

Evelyn graduated from Newcastle High School and began working for a bank there. A large part of her life was steeped in music. Her dad was a talented self-taught musician and he passed those talents on to Evelyn. She learned to play steel guitar, and from her teens into young adulthood she and her dad would travel to community events and barn dances to play country and western music. She met the love of her life, her “John-E-Babe” at a dance held at the Skunk Hollow 4-H center near Dewey, SD. At the same time she met John, her sister Edna met and began dating John’s brother Bob. Bob and Eddie were married on March 7, 1959 and John and Evelyn followed two months later on May 23, 1959. John learned to play bass guitar and they played for many years in various country and western bands in northeast Wyoming and southwest Montana area. They both played for pleasure for the remainder of their lives. Their example led to a love of music in their children, who all played music through high school and into their adult lives as well.

On May 29, 1960 their first child, Debbie, was born followed by Mike on December 19, 1962, Wendy on December 23, 1965 and Jenni September 12, 1970. They settled in Gillette, WY in 1970 where John became part owner and eventually full owner of Gamble’s Hardware. Gambles then became Hardware Hank. Evelyn served as the bookkeeper for the company until they decided to retire and sold the business to their son Mike in 2014.

Evelyn and John were devout Catholics and gave generously of their time and talents to their parish, St. Matthew’s in Gillette. Evelyn was one of the key individuals to get 24 hour Adoration started in the parish. They were daily Mass attendees and recited the rosary daily. Evelyn was not only a talented musician, she was an extremely talented artist. She excelled in oil painting, charcoal sketching and pastel drawing. Her artwork is hung all over their home. She won many ribbons at the County Fair and a few at the State Fair. She was not afraid of technology and she loved taking pictures, so she became a hobbyist in Photoshop to enhance and add missing family to family photos. She was a volunteer for hospital ministry and made handmade prayer cards that included images of her artwork for those she visited in the hospital.

She is survived by her four children, daughter Debbie, son Mike (Robynn), daughters Wendy Hays (Dan)and Jennifer Bridges (Dan), 19 grandkids, and 29 great-grandkids. She is also survived by siblings Jim and Joe. She leaves behind many nieces, nephews and friends who loved her dearly.

She was preceded in death by husband John, parents Wilbur and Thelma, her sister Edna and infant great-grandson Marcus.

We will desperately miss our spunky, spicy, double-cross forehead blessing, pun loving mom, grandma, aunt and friend. Thank you to family and friends who have reached out to us during this difficult time. Please know you are appreciated and loved in return.

Visitation at Gillette Memorial Chapel on Wednesday March 5 at 6:00 p.m immediately followed by the Rosary. Funeral Mass will be on March 6 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church.

Following the burial please join the family for a luncheon and celebrate Evelyn’s life with the family at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, Parish Hall.