Evelyn M. Likes

Evelyn M Likes, 85, of Firth, passed away in Idaho Falls on July 1, 2025, after a battle with Dementia.

Evelyn was born February 27, 1940 to Gene Montague and Norma Fern Beck Montague in Salem, Utah. She had two older brothers, Ray and Gene Jr. and one younger brother, David.

When she was around two, they moved to Murray, Utah, and then to Granger, Utah, which is now called West Valley, Utah. She went to kindergarten and first grade in Granger. In the summer after first grade, they moved to a sawmill in the hills above Mackey, Idaho. She said “while my dad and my uncles cut down trees and hauled them to the mill and made 2x4’s and other lumber out of them, my mother, brothers, and I roamed the forest and streams. I have many good memories of that. After that summer, she moved back to Granger where her dad sold the farm and then moved to Conda, Idaho, north of Soda Springs where he worked in the phosphate mines. She went to second grade in Conda and then later moved back to Murray, Utah, then to Midvale where they remained until she graduated from Jordan High School in Sandy with a graduating class of around 600.

Evelyn then went to work in Salt Lake for an insurance company as a clerk and typist. This had always been her goal even as a kid to become a secretary.

During the summer after her graduation, she drove from Midvale to Blackfoot, Idaho to spend the Fourth of July with her cousin. This is where she met her husband, Delbert. He came to Midvale a few times after that and he eventually moved to Salt Lake, got a job and an apartment. They were married a year later. They moved several times during their first years together, living in Salt Lake, Idaho Falls and Taylor. Then to Colville, Washington and Kooskie, Idaho, where Delbert worked on the dams. They finally moved to Firth in 1972, by this time she had four boys from ages 12 to age 2. Rick, Jeff, Mark, and Bruce. She lived there for the remainder of her life.

She worked many places during those years, but the last place was the INEL site for 26 years. She took night classes in secretary subjects and took the Certified Professional Secretaries exam in Pocatello after all the night school courses and passed on the first try. This was a very prestigious honor. Out of the 5000 people who took this exam she was one of less than 100 who passed it on the first try. She even got her picture in the paper and was pretty excited about that.

She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and enjoyed her many callings and associations there.

Evelyn had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing with many choirs including several years with The Sweet Adaline’s in Idaho Falls, where they often did touring and performing.

After her retirement she spent many years being a foster grandma at the Firth Elementary School helping the children, that became a great joy for her each day.

Her family brought her so much happiness in her life. We all love her so much and she’ll be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two older brothers, husband, Delbert, son, Jeff, and one grandson, Keegan Likes.

She is survived by her sons, Rick Likes (Melanie), Mark Likes (Sharon), and Bruce Likes, all of the Firth, Idaho area.

She leaves behind her cherished 6 grandchildren, Jessica Harris (Josh), Christopher Likes (Brandee), Derrick Likes (Bryana), Tehren Likes (Alicia), Nathan Likes (Brenda) and Max Likes and 16 Great Grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, July 14, 2025 at the Firth Ward Chapel, 744 N 600 E. The family will receive friends Sunday, July 13th from 6:00 till 7:30 p.m. at Nalder Funeral Home, 110 West Oak Street, Shelley and Monday morning from 11:30 a.m. till 12:45 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery.

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