Obituary of Evelyn Mary Varner

VARNER - Evelyn Mary (Baumgardner) -  Entered eternal rest with her Lord at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, Johnstown, on June 29, 2023. She was born June 17, 1927 in Ogle Township, Somerset County, daughter of Lewis and Anna (Seese) Baumgardner. She had a love of music throughout childhood and after graduating from Windber High School, entered Indiana State Teachers College. She became skilled in playing the piano, organ and singing. Upon graduation Evelyn was hired as elementary music teacher at the Ebensburg school district, now Central Cambria, enhancing her skills with a master’s degree from Penn State.

She married high school sweetheart, Robert Varner, on November 24, 1951, and together purchased a farm near Ebensburg where he raised potatoes and chickens, while she taught school. A few years later they designed and built the Lemon Drop Ski Lodge, and over the course of several decades, adding a restaurant and banquet facility, vacation rentals and 18-hole golf course.

Her greatest passions were helping students appreciate music in their lives and in helping her church use music in its ministry. Evelyn was kind, but firm with her students and over the course of each school year was able to mold them into actors performing outstanding musical presentations for the community. She conceived musical performances for her church congregation utilizing most members in singing as well as making sets and costumes. Her favorite choral music was Handel’s Messiah.

Evelyn’s hobbies were gardening and quilting. Each year the Lemon Drop was beautified with her flower gardens’ gorgeous blooms and produce from her vegetable garden enhancing restaurant salads and side dishes. She made fruit leftovers into jams that were prized by those lucky enough to receive them. Her quilts were outstanding examples of artistic beauty and craftsmanship, and many are prized decorations on walls of nieces, nephews, and friends. She looked forward to family reunions and loved hosting them, making sure everyone had a good visit and enough to eat.

Evelyn overcame many food and environmental allergies as well as coping in her last years with macular degeneration. Despite these obstacles she remained a woman of strong Christian faith and lived a life emulating Jesus, never angry, always ready to help others, treating all people, young and old, with the greatest respect. She was highly admired by every person fortunate to have met her, especially those she taught. One always left a conversation with Evelyn feeling enriched, loved, and lighthearted.

Evelyn was preceded in passing by husband, Bob; sisters, Vera Davis, Fern Buese and Anna Belle Whitaker; brothers, Lewis "Bud" and Glenn; and niece, Cynthia Baumgardner. She is survived by brother, Elmer; nieces, Karen Herczegh, Daria Buese, Deborah Olsen, Vicky Flessner, Betsy Whitaker, Lynn West, Joan Cromer; nephews, Ken Davis, Gary Davis, Mark Buese, Dirk Baumgardner, David Baumgardner and Ronald Baumgardner; and a host of grand nieces, nephews, and their children.

Friends will be received from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg and from 10 a.m. until time of funeral service at 11 a.m. on Friday at Ebensburg United Methodist Church, Pastor Ashley Weyant, officiating. Interment, Richland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Evelyn's memory may be made to Ebensburg United Methodist Church. Condolences may be left for the family at www.askew-houser.com