Jeffrey Clyde ‘Jeff’ Evans, 65
Jeffrey Clyde “Jeff” Evans, 65, passed away suddenly of natural causes on March 3, 2020, at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Jeff was born on Oct. 15, 1954, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, to Clyde and Viola (Pitsch) Evans.
Jeff was raised and graduated high school in Waukesha and then went on to attend college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and later transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
After college Jeff lived in Costa Rica working for the Peace Corps. Returning to the United States he became the horticulturist on the grounds of an Italianate estate in Berkeley, California.
Jeff gave up this unique position in California and moved to Iowa to help his family care for his ill brother. During this time he used his talents as the city forester in Des Moines, Iowa. After the passing of his brother Scotty, he could have pursued jobs anywhere but chose to move to Kalispell where his sister lived.
In Kalispell Jeff gained employment at the Glacier National Park Native Plant Nursery where he cultivated dozens of alpine species. Following this, he moved to Northern Colorado where he worked at a native plant restoration nursery. Jeff returned to Montana where he became the head gardener at Kalispell’s Conrad Mansion.
Jeff was an extremely gifted botanist and a great contributor to his field. Off the job, Jeff enjoyed working on his home nursery, playing his many guitars and attending concerts with his sister and friends. He also loved nothing more than the solitude of camping and fishing in the nearby streams and rivers.
True to himself and able to make a living while following his passion, Jeff was a sensitive, intelligent and loving man that shared interesting life experiences through his long, late night telephone conversations. Jeff could make the deadpan serious laugh.
Jeff lives on in the trees and plants that he cultivated. Hundreds of Jeff’s plants grow at Glacier National Park’s Logan Pass and Oberlin Bend.
Jeff was preceded in death by his father Clyde Evans, brother Scott Evans, uncle Tom Evans, aunt Betty Staub, uncle Norbert Pitsch, aunt Joanne and cousin Terry Wilcox.
He is survived by his mother Viola (Frank) Stout of Johnston, Iowa, sister Jill (Gary) Wilson of Kalispell, niece Lily Wilson of Helena, uncle Roger Evans, aunt Sue Evans and uncle Buck Staub, all of Wisconsin, aunt Violet of California, numerous loving cousins and countless friends.
No funeral services are planned.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Flathead County Animal Shelter at 1035 1st Avenue West, Kalispell, MT 59901.
Friends are encouraged to visit www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.