Evalyn Kim Riley

Evalyn Kim Riley took her last breath June 26, 2021, just before her 81st birthday. Up until she turned 80, she lived an active, happy and independent life. Her joys were her children Pam (Dale) Dalton, Debbie (Jerone) Richards, Steve (Kelli) Peterson and her grandchildren Steven (Shaelyn), Dallas (Emily), Dalton (Mia), Shania, Riley, Olivia, Savannah, Preston, London, Boston and great granddaughter Keilani. Kim was proud of each of them and loved hearing about or participating in their activities, adventures, and successes.
Kim was born and raised in Beaver, Utah. She was a beauty who twirled batons, participated in Pep Squad, and received many awards in 4H and dance. Because of her father’s job, she had access to the Beaver County Courthouse. In elementary school, she would rush to the judge’s chambers, roll the chair onto the balcony and sit where other kids walking home could see her being important. Even then, she could laugh at herself. She never recalled being “in trouble” as a child, even when her mom discovered the pile of cereal she had been pouring each morning behind the pantry broom pot because she didn’t like condensed milk. She had wonderful parents, a kind older brother (Stanley Riley) and happy childhood memories. Her parents Thell and Millie called her Evalyn, but she went by Kim from the time she started college at Age 18. Some of her grandkids called her Grandma Bling because everything she wore included rhinestones, sequins or sparkles, even her shoes.
Kim nurtured her kids the same way she was raised: with unconditional love, patience, and safety. She never spanked, scolded or grounded; and we never heard her swear, despite our shenanigans. She was dignified and classy in all aspects of her life. We stayed (mostly) out of trouble because of our respect for mom and our desire not to disappoint or lose her trust.
Kim was a collector. Some of her earliest collections were stamps, event napkins and gumball charms. Her collections were either inspired by or led to her enjoyment of counting and record keeping. Some of our fun outings included stopping on a bench somewhere and coming up with interesting things to count. She started that tradition as a child with her mom. They would sit along Beaver Main Street, share a can of olives, and count tourists coming to town. Kim always had an accountant mind. After 31 years with the State of Utah, Kim retired as a Lead Labor Market Economist at the end of 2001. During her career, she had the opportunity professionally and personally to travel to every state in the Nation. She loved vacations and some of her and her children’s/grandchildren’s best memories are traveling and laughing, which also led to more collections.
Because she loved to travel, she joined the Corvette Club of Utah in 1999 and was actively involved for 20 years. She served as President for 4 years, but her favorite role was planning trips and activities as the Special Events Chair. Kim was a prankster and loved to laugh. (CCU: remember Earl who used to break into your CB radio chats? That was Kim.) In her last year of life, Kim struggled with dementia but never forgot the names of her loved ones; and she still played jokes and teased. Whenever Debbie expressed fear about mom’s memory loss, she replied: “I will never forget you, Minerva”; and then she would crack up. (BTW, she had named her GPS Minerva Vitzerschnitzel.) She continued to comment every time we passed a cemetery: “People are just dying to get in there.” She mentioned once that we would be glad when she was gone and didn’t have to keep laughing at that joke. Not true. We will still remember it and laugh along with her.
Kim became a single parent when Steve was a toddler; and her sacrifices, guidance and devotion are remarkable. She didn’t have everything she needed, but her children always did. She loved holidays, especially ones that included giving gifts. As her circumstances changed and her kids became independent, her collections turned into such things as Armani figurines, dishes and diamonds. When she became ill and chose what was important for her to keep close, it was photos of her family and handmade treasures from her mother and grandkids.
Kim’s life was a dichotomy. Her father was Beaver City Marshall and Fish & Game Conservation Officer; her favorite childhood memories were working alongside her dad in the Beaver Mountain, but Kim was very much an “indoorsy” person. Her mother was crafty, talented and the definition of a homemaker. While Kim was very skilled at helping her mom, her personal creative pursuits capped at harvesting crops on Farmville. Her family had horses (and an occasional sheep) and she cherished her childhood dog Fred, cat Ticaboo and chicken Elmer Fudd; but she was not an animal person. In high school, she was a lifeguard who couldn’t swim. She was opinionated and neutral, faithful but not religious, a saver and a giver. She was a homebody who loved a party. She was both an open book and very private. Kim loved playing games and won every time, but she was not competitive.
We will deeply miss her momma hugs with her loving words of pride whispered in our ears, her advice, her humor, protection, trip planning, theater and lunch outings, her gentle reproach, an uncanny ability to anticipate and meet our needs, her lovely hands and fingers (always with rings and red polish), her beautiful smile and warmth, and her ability to see the most fascinating scenes in the clouds.
Thank you Inspiration Hospice for your kind and attentive care, especially Caralee, the “Bob Ross” nurse. And God bless you Mom/Grandma for a life of love, laughter and nurturing.
Family will honor Evalyn Kim at a graveside gathering on her birthday, July 7. Her family would love to read your memories or condolences. You may also send notes or request a video link of her life at EvalynKimRiley@gmail.com.
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