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Evelyn ‘Evie’ Anita Renbarger Bruins, 88

Evelyn “Evie” Anita Renbarger Bruins, 88, died peacefully of natural causes on Oct. 5, 2017, surrounded by family. She was buried in the Moiese Valley, in western Montana.

Evie was born on Sept. 6, 1929, to Guy and Ella (Degerness) Renbarger on their farm in the Banks area north of Watford City, N.D., close to the Missouri River. She graduated in a class of 29 from Watford City High School in June 1947.

Herbert “Herb” W. Bruins (USMC World War II Combat Veteran) and Evie were married at the Garden Valley Lutheran Church on Sept. 20, 1947. After a honeymoon to Yellowstone Park, the happy couple moved to the newly-purchased Bruins homestead farm where their two daughters, Deborah in 1948 and Denalie in 1951, were born. Always the adventurers, they sold the farm in 1955 and bought a ranch near Hot Springs, Mont. Son Randy was born in 1955.

Eventually, they returned to Watford City in 1957, and as partners, started up and operated Herb’s Boating Center. They later diversified into selling motorcycles, snowmobiles and other recreational items, as well as mobile homes, to make their business an all-season success. Along with other boating enthusiasts, they developed the McKenzie Marina near Mandaree, N.D. Their last child Jason was born in 1962. All their North Dakota businesses were sold around 1981.

In 1982, Herb and Evie retired to the mountains near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Evie lived her passions! She always had a beautiful yard of flowers, vegetable gardens and fruit trees, and enjoyed other outdoor activities like fishing, camping and boating. But it was in the first years living in North Idaho where a new and strong passion developed for Evie in helping families in crisis with domestic violence, along with fighting for women’s rights. For 15 and one half years, Evie volunteered countless hours every week (described more in depth below — in honor of October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month). Herb died in 2000. They had been married 53 years.

In 2009, Evie chose to leave her beloved North Idaho home to move to Missoula, Mont., to be closer to her children. She continued her progressive political activism, yard beautification projects and watching her favorite sports teams like the UM Grizzlies.

Evie was preceded in death by husband Herb; parents Guy and Ella; brothers Byron, Orville and Dean Renbarger; sister Beatrice Adele Ytterdahl; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; along with five nieces and nephews.

Survivors include her four children, Deborah Tomas of Moiese, Mont., Denalie Bruins (Wayne Burnham) of Missoula, Randy Bruins of Moiese and Jason Bruins of Colorado Springs, Colo.; four grandchildren, Christann (Dave) Schmid, David Aaron Rolfson, Sarah Evelyn Rolfson Marco (Mike) and Tasha Bruins; and five great-grandchildren, Kayla Schmid Hatfield (Keith), Nicole Schmid, Daniel Schmid, Brandon Schmid and Jacoby Marco. Also, sister-in-law Gen Bruins of Arnegard, N.D.; and 31 nieces and nephews.

At Evie’s request, no funeral service is planned.

Memorials may be sent to Blue Mountain Clinic, 610 N. California St., Missoula, MT 59802.

- • •

This is what was written by Susie Risho in 2014 after interviewing Evie regarding this 15 and one half years of volunteer work in North Idaho:

“…I was invited to go to a six-week course at a college in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, for displaced homemakers. The instructor was so helpful to me, it changed my life. She helped me see my values and build self-respect. The executive director of the Women’s Center was also attending. She invited me to take on a volunteer job created just for me. So with the six weeks of courses, as well as the domestic violence training and some sexual assault training, I began work at the Women’s Center in Coeur d’Alene as a court advocate.

I would go to court room proceedings with clients who were abused. I saw the great needs to support the victims. I became the first court advocate in the four northern counties of Idaho. I was the only court-advocate for about eight years until the Center could afford to pay a part-time advocate. For the victims of abuse it is difficult. They may feel ashamed that this is happening with someone she or he loves. I would take their statements of abuse and/or threats, and be present with them at the court. To go before the judge is so intimidating and frightful for them. I surely saw how helpful it is to have an advocate with them. I learned a lot about the laws, and laws we didn’t have to make it more safe for the victim.

My first case was before a judge that was sentencing a man who’d beaten his wife. This was in 1986. The laws have changed since then, but there needs to be more change. Her husband got a misdemeanor for breaking her foot and a felony charge for breaking an antique rocker valued at $1,500 and some crystal. This was a wake-up call for me in understanding the lack of value and respect for women. I was dedicated to working with and advocating for these people. I would help them with their statements of abuse and threats and provide comfort, support and council for them to better understand the complexity of violence. I started the advocate program for the Women’s Center and worked there as a volunteer for 15.5 years before retiring. I highly respected most of the judges and also the law-enforcement teams. They gave me so much support in many ways. I also worked with attorneys who were willing to help me with my clients. I would have between 200 to 300 clients a year, I saw a lot of pain. I had three women clients who were murdered. I was given many appreciation plagues including one from the Attorney General of Idaho for outstanding volunteer work. Most court advocates work for three to five years, I finally knew I had to end my service after 15 and a half years. And I thank the many people that supported me throughout that time. I retired and was given a beautiful retirement party. Nearly a hundred and 30 people attended including law-enforcement people, judges, counselors, clients, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, staff from the Women’s Center and friends and family. We had a beautiful dinner provided by the Outback restaurant. And a special ‘Evie Fund’ was created. Oh, what good and positive things I learned and good people I met through all those years!”

Some of the awards Evie received from those years in North Idaho:

- 1994 Community Service Career Excellence Award by the Women’s Forum, Inc.

- 1995 Beta Sigma Phi’s Woman of the Year

- 1996 United Way of Kootenai County Volunteer of the Year, “You Have Made A Difference To Our Community”

- 1997 Soroptimist International of Coeur d’Alene, Woman of Distinction Award

- 1999 With Deepest Gratitude for Your Service to the Citizens of Kootenai County, William Douglas, Prosecutor

- 2001 Volunteer Service Award for Victims’ Service Award of the Year — the Great Seal of the State of Idaho

Poem written in February 1994, by another volunteer at the Women’s Center:

“EVIE”

Most every week day

you’ll find her in court

Which always requires

intestinal forte.

She speaks so softly

and dries all their tears

Knowing full well

they must deal with their fears

When she’s not in court

she is on the phone

She’ll take your call

anonymous or known.

There’s no stopping this lady

through ice, rain or snow.

She’s witty, she’s charming

she’s bubbly and bright.

With Evie in your corner

you’re ready to fight.

Hubby Herb must be close

to sainthood

He spends time alone

while she’s out doing good.

Here at the Center,

we cherish her dear

With great admiration

we send her a cheer!

Dear Evie, we appreciate

all that you’ve done.

We’re so happy to have you;

tenacious, yet fun.

— Clydea Cook-Anderson