Mary Evanger Rambo passed away peacefully in Missoula Montana on May 8, 2015 after a long fight with Parkinson's disease. Born July 14, 1934 in Camas, Washington, Mary had a wonderful childhood, as she described it, growing up along the Columbia River with best friends whom she stayed in contact with her entire life, Elizabeth (Croon) Fafnis, Jeanie,(Jones) Kronholm and Dorthy Franklin. Her loves as a child were swimming, reading, playing piano, and singing. Mary had two older brothers, Jack McColm and Merlin McColm, and a younger sister, Lilias better known as Sis. At 17 she moved with her family to Elgin, Oregon, where she completed high school then went on to two years of College in Legrand, Oregon, before moving to Seattle where she got her degree in teaching from the University of Washington. Mary married Arden Evanger in July of 1957 and they lived in Seattle while Arden completed Medical school and Mary taught elementary school.

In 1965, Mary and Arden with their two young sons Andy and Brad, moved to Orleans, France, where Arden practiced medicine for the US military. After 2 years they moved to Wurzburg, Germany where Arden was stationed, before returning to the states in 1968. The family then lived in Portland, Oregon, for two years before settling in Yakima, Washington, where Mary raised her two sons through high school.

In 1975, Mary divorced, went back to school to update her teaching education and earned her Master's degree in Library Sciences. She then became an elementary school librarian, a position she was perfectly suited for because she loved children and books. Mary met her soul mate, Vern Rambo, and they were married in December 1983. Vern was a pilot and they took many airplane trips throughout the Pacific Northwest, playing golf and seeing the sights until Vern's health failed. Mary herself was forced to retire when she was 65 because of heart problems.

After recuperating from heart surgery, Mary enjoyed a number of years in retirement, hanging out with longtime friend Libby Knauer at the pool or going to the beach with Elizabeth Fafnis. Finally Mary moved to Missoula, Montana, to be closer to her son Brad. Mary enjoyed her time in Missoula and especially spending time with her granddaughter Lydia where their favorite pastime was watching "Bones."

She was preceded in death by her parents, Hester and John McColm, her brother Jack McColm, her first husband Arden Evanger and her second husband Vern Rambo. She is survived by her siblings Merlin McColm and Lilas Trask, by her sons Andy (Karla) Evanger of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Brad (Carol) Evanger of Missoula, Montana, grandchildren Lydia, Daylen, Brianna Reagan Davis, Iver, Lars, Jacob, Dale and great grandchild Wesley Reagan Davis.

A small graveside service will be held at Terrace Heights Memorial Park of Yakima, Washington, on Tuesday, June 16 at noon.

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Mary's parent's marriage record:
Name: John William McColm
Age 29
Birth Date: abt 1895 - (1897 per draft registration)
Birth Place: Oregon
Marriage Date: 5 Dec 1924
Marriage Place: Portland, Oregon, USA
Spouse - Hester M. Luroy (Lenox)
Informant of her passing was Andrew McColm - son

Mother's Death Information

Hester Mary McColm (Lenox)
Birthdate: April 30, 1904
Birthplace: Oxnard, Ventura County, CA, United States
Death: August 25, 2000 (96)
Boise, Ada County, Idaho, United States
Place of Burial?: Wallowa County, OR, United States
Immediate Family:
Daughter of Earnst Edward Lenox and Mabel Lenox
Wife of John William McColm, Sr.
Mother of Private; Private; John William McColm, Jr.; Private and Private
Sister of Private