Vernice Mae Evans, a longtime employee of the New Richmond News, died on Sunday, Nov. 20, at St. Croix Health Center in New Richmond. She was 101.
Born on Feb. 20, 1921, on the family farm near Paynesville, Minnesota, she was the daughter of Charles and Freda Heitke and grew up with her sister Lois, brother Frederick (Bud) and twins Mary and Jimmy Heitke.
After graduating from high school at age 16, she became a dental assistant. She went on to hold various jobs, including owning and operating Evans Shell and Oldsmobile with her husband, Klayt, selling makeup, taking the 1960 census for New Richmond, and working for more than 34 years in sales and marketing for Doughboy Industries, Inc. This was followed by nearly 25 years as a receptionist, proofreader, columnist and assistant to the editor at the New Richmond News. She worked at the newspaper until she was 97 years old.
“She was truly one of a kind and loved the newspaper industry,” Sarah Nigbor, editor of the Pierce County Journal, told the WNA.
