Barbara Ellen Evink was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She left this world on March 11, 2022, at the age of 78.
Barb was born to Benjamin and Maxine Ruddock on September 21, 1943. After graduating from Southwestern High School in Flint, Michigan in 1961, Barb chased her dream to study nursing at Hurley Hospital School of Nursing in Flint, Michigan, graduating 1964. She continued her studies at Michigan State University where she met her husband, Bernard Evink. They lived in married housing at Michigan State and graduated together in 1968. Barb graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, while Bernie graduated with a master’s degree in Social Work. After college they moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin and raised two children, Karin and Mark.
Barb later continued her education and received a Bachelor of Nursing degree from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and a master’s in adult education from University of Wisconsin-Stout.
Barb’s heart was in her work as a nurse, and later as a nursing instructor. She started working as a Registered Nurse and Assistant Head Nurse at Hurley Hospital in Flint, Michigan. She later worked at E. W. Sparrow Hospital in Lansing, Michigan as a Graduate Nurse and Registered Nurse. After moving to Green Bay with Bernie, Barb started working as a full time Instructor in the Practical Nursing Program at Northeast Wisconsin Technical Institute (later Northeast Wisconsin Technical College) in Green Bay, Wisconsin. She took some time off as an instructor when her children were young and worked as a Registered Nurse in various departments at Americana Nursing Center and Saint Vincent and Saint Mary Hospitals, both in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Barb was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, worked with various charities including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and donated time and funds to many other non-profit organizations.
Barb loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious and healthy meals for her family. She was known to her family and friends as “the Muffin Lady,” due to her cooking and sharing many dozens of muffins over the years. She was also known for her delicious soups, pumpkin pies, and any number of goodies she’d throw together for parties and fun events.
Barb also expressed her creativity through her sewing skills. Her sister Ruth remembers when Barb and their oldest sister, Patricia, would gather patterns and material to sew their own dresses before dances. Ruth remembers how Barb used to love parties and dancing from an early age. Oh, how Barb loved to host a party or two with her friends! She collected many wonderful photos and memories of all the adventures she had with her family and friends over the years.
Barb loved to travel, too. She took regular trips to visit her family in Michigan, and her daughter and grandchildren in the many different places they lived as military dependents. Often her son Mark would travel with her, too. Mark especially remembers a wonderful trip he took with his mother to Pigeon Forge in the Smoky Mountains. Mark says he and his mother hiked and shopped and loved exploring the beautiful hills. Barb also traveled with her sister Patricia to watch her sister sing in England. She brought home some exciting treasures from that trip, all purchased at very reasonable, thrifty prices, of course. Barb was never shy to look for bargains while shopping on her adventures. She had a fun time collecting many treasures from her travels.
The last four years of Barb’s life were spent at Parkside Village in Allouez, Wisconsin. She loved that place within the first moments she visited it. She was known there for her hearty laughs and witty sense of humor. Staff there nicknamed her Mrs. Presley because of her love for Elvis, and her enthusiasm for dancing with the Elvis impersonator when he visited the facility. Several nurses who worked with her through the last few years were prior students of hers when she had taught at NWTC. Her reputation as a tough instructor created quality, top-notch nurses.
Bernie and Barb are both angels in Heaven now. In her later years, as her memories faded, Barb still looked fondly on photos of “her favorite boyfriend” Bernie and shared how much she loved “that kind man.” Barb is survived by her daughter Karin (Markert) and son Mark, who will both keep warm memories of their parents in their hearts forever.
A private Celebration of Life ceremony for Barb will be held a later date for her family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to The Gathering Place in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Barb was involved with this program and facility when it was first created, and it still holds a special place in the hearts of her family.