Obituary

Evelyn Verna Puskarich Ensminger

1929-2023

Age 93 years, 10 months, 2 weeks

Passed on September 20, 2023 at Living Legacy East Assisted Living Home, Mesa, AZ

Born 11/06/1929 to Kathryn Ann Gordon and Joseph Frank Puskarich of Bentleyville, PA. Preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her two brothers-in-law and their wives, her brother and his wife, her three sisters and their husbands, a son-in-law, one niece and three nephews. Survived by daughters Evelyn (Evy) Grace Fuller (Carl Fuller) and Nancy Kathryn Hollings; granddaughters Elicia Wari, Kristy Hollings and Stephanie Hollings-Nasr (Shawky Nasr); great grandchildren Koima Wari and Leilani Wari; beloved nephews and nieces.

She joked that her birthday was never celebrated in even numbered years (November elections) because her mother and father were of opposing political views.

Graduated Bentleyville HS 1947. Attended Penn SU where she met her husband, Philip Stephen Ensminger of Harrisburg PA. Married November 12, 1949. Lived in Harrisburg till 1955 when the family moved near Detroit MI for employment opportunities. When the girls were in school, Evie attended Wayne SU. After graduating she taught school in Romulus, Dearborn Heights and Dearborn. She got her MA from U of MI and finished up her career as a reading specialist retiring in 1989.

Being widowed in 1997 she moved to AZ to be closer to her daughters.

The family converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1960. Family was sealed in the SLC UT temple in 1964. Evie had many leadership assignments such as YW president (ward and stake) and RS president. She was even ward organist having never had a formal keyboard lesson.

Hobbies included painting (several art forms), embroidery and traveling.

She was rarely ill, but suffered many afflictions about which she never complained. In July 2020 (just into the Covid lockdown) she fell while getting some fresh air and exercise by walking in the parking lot surrounding her apartment building. This fall left her with a shattered right shoulder and arm and a broken pelvis. (In retrospect, she was most likely having seizures when she had falls or accidents.) She was disabled and in an assisted living facility the rest of her life. She was a voracious reader, loved board games and puzzles and old time movies, with a special love for musicals (until her loss of hearing made music unbearable to hear). She also loved sports, in particular the Phoenix Suns and Saturday college football.

She dearly loved the friends she made during her lifetime.

Direct quotes from Evie:

I learned how important it is to love one another.

Once when I was having a medical problem and was frightened, I knelt and told my Heavenly Father that if He would give me strength I would accept anything that came and not complain.

If you begin to differ with someone, it will be easier if you do not use the words you, never and always; it will be easier to keep good relationships with others.

Be patient, loving and kind to others and especially to family.

There will be no viewing or service.

Evie will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of AZ (Phoenix, AZ) where her husband was interred in 1997. Her Internment will take place on Friday December 22, 2023 at 1 pm sharp at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.