Eva Earline Wilson

Eva Earline Wilson, formerly of Neche, ND, passed peacefully into her Heavenly home, surrounded by her family, in the early morning of July 19, 2025. She was 87 and a resident of Arbor Village, Lake Geneva, WI.

Earline was born February 16, 1938, to Comer and Eva (nee Lowery) Stinson in Butler County, Alabama. She had a head of massive white curls and was known as “Cotton Top’’ during her formative years. She attended school in Greenville through her Junior year, married the love of her life on August 12, 1955, and moved to Fairdale, ND where she graduated Salutatorian of her class in 1956. She became a mother in 1959 and again in 1962.

She and Ray had a happy 67-year marriage, and while raising two daughters they lived in Fairdale, ND for almost 8 years, Drayton, ND for 4 years, and Neche, ND for 53 years. In the late 1970s/early 1980s, she began working at Neche Public School as a teacher's aide and loved it. She loved her co-workers and every single student – and could tell sweet stories about each one long after her retirement. She and Ray moved to Lake Geneva, WI to be near family in 2020. Ray passed away Dec. 31, 2022.

A woman of faith, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, an excellent homemaker and cook, Earline had a passion and talent for flowers and gardening, but baking was her undisputed love language. She enjoyed contributing to church bake sales, her caramel rolls and cinnamon rolls usually being the first to go. She loved to entertain and set a beautiful table. And she enjoyed it so much when friends or family dropped in unexpectedly and yelled, “Put the coffee on!” as they came through the door. She enjoyed her Red Hats Club, Birthday Club, Ladies Aid, and weekly Bible study group at Christ Lutheran Church. She was so loved and appreciated. Words cannot express how much she will be missed.

She leaves behind two loving daughters: Kimberly Johnson (Duane) and Karen Kawlewski, both of Lake Geneva, WI; two grandchildren: Nathan (Jenn) Kawlewski of Genoa City, WI, and Nicole Kawlewski of Dallas, Texas; three great-grandchildren, Pilleriin, Lucca, and Elowen; brother, Ronnie (Joy) Matthews of Greenville, AL; two sisters-in-law, Judy (Del) Nygard of Grafton, ND, and Gayle Brown of Grand Forks, ND. Nieces and nephews: Abigail Matthews, B.J. Belknap, Joanne Birdsall, Shane (Ann) Nygard, Joni Nygard, Scott Brown, and Julie (Mark) Doyle.

Earline is predeceased by her parents, Comer Stinson and Eva Matthews; husband, Ray; brother, William Vernon Stinson; sister, Janie Faye Lutz; nephew, Ricky Stinson; stepdad, George Matthews, and stepbrothers, George Jr., Carey, and Tommy Matthews.