Evelyn L. Seppala Williams

Evelyn L. Seppala Williams, 96, of Astoria, died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012 in Astoria.

She was born April 27, 1915 in Ludlow, S.D., to Carl A. and Esther J. Wickman Magnuson.

She grew up on the family farm and attended Vessey School in Ludlow. The farm is still operated by her family. As a farm girl, she learned how to milk cows, churn butter, raise chickens and beef. Her first job was working at the Buffalo Hotel in Buffalo, S.D., where she met her future husband, Henry R. Seppala. She followed him to Astoria and they were married Dec. 25, 1939. He died Oct. 30, 1973.

She and her husband owned and operated Greenwood Cemetery in Astoria from 1945 to 1968.

On Aug. 29, 1980, she married Ralph O. Williams. He preceded her in death in 1989.

Mrs. Williams also worked at Astoria Apparel, Young World, Fabricland and J.C. Penney. Family members said she loved to sew and was active as a 4-H leader in sewing and knitting. She spent long nights sewing clothes for her children and grandchildren. She always had a big garden and her family remembers her being able to do just about anything. Her hobbies included playing bridge, pinochle, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles.

She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Patty Seppala of Yuma, Ariz.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Arnold Tolonen of Vernonia, and Barbara and James Wells of Knappa; five grandsons, Mark Tolonen and his companion, Tammy Lechelt, of Hillsboro, Craig and his wife, Tonya Tolonen, of Vernonia, Erik and and his wife, Stephanie Hjorten, of Everett, Wash., Warren Wells and his companion, Kelley Fletcher, of Redmond, and Ryan and his wife, Ashley Wells, of Knappa; one sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Dr. William Whitlow of Phoenix, Ariz.; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence and Sidney Magnuson and three sisters, Ines Gustafson, Viona McGraw and Doris Stenback.

Visitation will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, and 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Jan. 27 at Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria.

A funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27 at Caldwell's Luce-Layton Mortuary.

A private graveside service will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Astoria.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Clatsop Care Center Auxiliary, 646 16th St., Astoria, OR 97103 or to a charity of ones choice.

An online guest book is available at www.caldwellsmortuary.com