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Evelyn Joy (Kowalski) Templeton
Born: 7/28/1954
Died: 4/29/2026
Age: 71
Community: Celebration of Life at Forest Township Senior Center,
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Evelyn Joy (Kowalski) Templeton, aged 71, died peacefully at home surrounded by her loving and hilarious family on April 29, 2026, yes, her son Bryan’s birthday. While our hearts are shattered, we are blessed to have been loved by her. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life luncheon will be held Saturday May 16th from 1pm-4pm at Forest Township Senior Center at 130 E Main St. Otisville, MI 48463. Evelyn was born July 28, 1954, in Lapeer, MI to Ray and Irene Kowalski. She married her one and only (God help us), Jim Templeton, on July 15, 1972, and went on to raise two loving sons, living a life filled with happiness, laughter, pets, road trips, eye rolls, and everything in between.
Evelyn worked for more than ten years at Coach’s Corner in downtown Lapeer doing everything from running the cash register, selling varsity jackets and ball bats, to helping launch a cheerleading catalog. Ray, Irene, Bryan, Mike, Michelle, Tasha, and Brittni also worked there alongside Evelyn and made it a family affair (child labor laws and all). After that, she transitioned to her most rewarding job ever, that of grandma.
Evelyn spent the last 30+ years of her life attending every ball game, dance recital, school play, award ceremony, and mock trial her grandchildren were in. She witnessed three of them graduate high school, two of them graduate college (oh yeah, and law school), one find her passion for teaching children and nearing her college graduation, one of them marry the love of his life, and the last one become a teenager and make his middle school baseball team with his dad as coach. She was their seamstress, water bottle holder, snack packer, travel buddy, law school taxi driver, room decorator, pool shooting buddy, and confidant while also being their biggest cheerleader and best grandma. To know Evelyn was to know the four pieces of her heart: Brittni, Austin, Peyton, and Andy.
Evelyn traveled the country alongside her family, including Chicago to watch a ballgame, New York where she seen The Color Purple on Broadway and cried tears of amazement, the Outer Banks where she and the grandkids witnessed wild horses, Florida where she experienced not only Mickey Mouse but her one and only hurricane, Alaska where she and Jim had the chance to whale watch, Mexico where she got a little too tipsy and peed on the hotel floor (we think she is on a watch list for that), the beautiful Gulf Shores of Alabama where she soaked up the sun and water, and camping throughout the state of Michigan. The annual Templeton tubing trips brought Evelyn some of her fondest and funniest family memories. She also enjoyed her many trips to the casino, where she could often be found winning on her favorite bean game.
She was the quiet strength behind every family gathering, the gentle voice that steadied every family storm, and the warm presence that turned a house into a home. As a mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, and friend she gave endlessly and loved without condition. Her love was patient, her guidance unwavering, and her sacrifices often unseen but deeply felt.
Evelyn is survived by her husband Jim, son Bryan and wife Michelle, son Michael, bonus daughter Tasha and husband Derrick West, and the true loves of her life, grandchildren Brittni, Austin (wife Morrigan), Peyton, and Andy.
Extended family sharing son Bryan and granddaughter Brittni; Snake and Kathy Roberts. Your friendship and sharing of memories for nearly 35 years has been a blessing that Evelyn held close to her heart.
Sister in laws Kay (Don) Poppenfuse, Phyllis (Dick) Bouchard, Bonnie (Dave) Cross, Beverly (Kevin) Bloss, and brother-in-law Skip Wineman. More nieces and nephews than she could keep track of but loved nonetheless.
Beloved neighbors and friends Steve Gettle, Mary Starking, Michelle & Ron Hill and Jeanette. Special niece/friend /and travel buddy Dawn Wineman, thank you for loving Evelyn as your own. Handymen/fixers/nephews Steve and Chad Wineman, thank you for keeping Uncle Jim up to date on his hunny-do-list.
Evelyn was proceeded in death by her parents Ray & Irene Kowalski, sister Kathy Risdon, sister-in-law Linda Wineman, and fur babies Bootsie, TT Tat, Lucy, Miggy, Sadie, and Misty.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the staff at Absolute Hospice including nurse Chevonne Bryant and pastor Craig Dockery for their gentleness and love. Having your support through the most difficult days of our life made this journey less dark.
Evelyn’s legacy lives on in her children and grandchildren, in the values she passed down, in the memories she created, and the love that will continue to ripple through her family and friends. Though she is no longer with us in the ways we wish, her spirit will remain alive in every act of kindness, every shared story, and every heart she helped shape. She will be deeply missed, forever cherished, and always remembered with love. |
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| Visitation |
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5/16/2026 |
| Time: |
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1:00 PM |
| Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life luncheon will be held Saturday May 16th from 1pm-4pm at Forest Township Senior Center at 130 E Main St. Otisville, MI 48463. |
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| Funeral Service |
| No Service |
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