Evelyn Erna Schmidt Pollaehne, 87, returned to her Heavenly Home on Monday, April 30, 2024. She was born November 11, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah, the eldest child of Alfred B. Schmidt and Erna Nabrotzky Schmidt.

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Evelyn was an accomplished pianist. She acted as her father's preferred accompanist for many weddings, funerals, Church meetings and other musical events at which he sang with his beautiful operatic voice. Evelyn learned to appreciate classical music from her parents. Listening to or attending an opera, symphony, ballet, and concert performance brought her much joy. German music was especially a favorite. She really liked the music of Andre' Rieu; we believe she was his number one fan!!

Evelyn was a graduate of West High School. She developed excellent secretarial skills and was employed by several companies, the last of which was the legal firm of Kirton and McConkie.

Evelyn married Horst Pollaehne on December 27, 1957. The marriage was later sealed in the Salt Lake City, Utah Temple. She was able to live for two years in Germany, her parents' country of origin, while her husband was serving in the U.S. Army. She loved the German people and made many friends while living in that Country. Evelyn learned to speak, read, and write the German language as though she had been born in Germany. She learned to make and bake the best German Stollen from her mother.

Although Evelyn did not have children of her own, she loved her nieces and nephews like they were her own children. She enjoyed hearing about their achievements and their lives. They certainly loved her in return, as did the grandchildren.

Evelyn was kind and friendly and made a lasting impact on all who knew her. She was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she served as the organist each Sunday for several years, and also the Relief Society pianist. Her yard and garden, with its many flowers, especially her roses, brought Evelyn beauty and joy. She treasured and took impeccable care of the home her father built for her and Horst for the next 64 years. Many family reunions and parties were hosted and family memories made in this home. She lived there until just a few months before she passed away. She recently moved to reside at The Wellington Assisted Living and enjoyed meeting new friends.

Evelyn is survived by her brother and sister-in-law Harold and Sona Schmidt, sister and brother-in-law, Elona (Loni) and Robert McEntire, Sister-in-law Ursula Pollaehne, her many nieces and nephews, and numerous other family members, who will miss her.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Horst Pollaehne, her parents, Alfred and Erna Schmidt, mother-in-law, Eva Pollaehne Boldt, brother and sister-in-law, Herman and Ruth Pollaehne, brother-in-law Jerry Pollaehne, and brother-in-law Brent Pollaehne. We would like to thank the many doctors, care givers, relatives, friends, The Wellington Assisted Living staff, St. Marks Hospital and Larkin Mortuary for all the love and care they provided for Evelyn.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 14, at 11:00 am at the Highland Springs Ward, 4366 South 1500 East, Millcreek (SLC). There will be a viewing held prior to the funeral from 9:00 – 10:30 am. Interment will be at the Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Cemetery, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Larkin Mortuary, 260 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah.

You may watch the service online through Zoom using the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86418042164