Biography:

Evelyn Leola Bischof Chotkowski was born in Illmo, Missouri, on July 27, 1921, and passed away on December 3, 2020, in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Evelyn’s family moved to the Hillcrest area of Little Rock in 1932 and Evelyn lived in that neighborhood until 2012. A conscientious student, remembered by former teachers for her meticulous handwriting and by her classmates for her sweet smile, Evelyn attended Pulaski Heights Junior High, Central High School, and Little Rock Junior College. In 1943, she married a young Army officer, Henry Leo Chotkowski. After the war, the couple settled in Little Rock and Evelyn served as accountant and bookkeeper in the family business.

Evelyn was a lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she served for many years as the leader of Sunday School classes for the younger children. “Miss Evelyn” taught hundreds of girls and boys to sing “This Little Light of Mine,” and patiently helped the smallest students find the special treats hidden at the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

An excellent baker, Evelyn was always a faithful contributor to church suppers and potlucks. Her skills as a seamstress, which created memorable dresses for her younger relatives, were cheerfully applied in craft projects to raise money for her church. She would often take bouquets of miniature roses from her garden when visiting the sick and elderly. In retirement, she became active in the Home Extension Service and as a volunteer for the Arkansas Veterans’ Hospital and numerous other church and community groups.

Evelyn was predeceased by her husband Henry Leo Chotkowski. She is survived by her daughter Marcel Chotkowski LaFollette and son-in-law Jeffrey Stine, of Washington, D.C., by her brother Elroy C. Bischof of Fort Smith, Arkansas, by nieces Nancy B. McMillan and Jennifer Bischof of Fort Smith, and by her nephew Jonathan Bischof of Paragould, Arkansas.

Although Evelyn’s sight dimmed in her last years, she brought light and joy to her friends and family and inspired all with her quiet dignity and cheerful spirit.

The family thanks the entire staff at Nursing and Rehab at Good Shepherd for their loving care of Evelyn through the years.

Due to the pandemic, no public services will be held at this time, but the family hopes to gather in the future with friends for a celebration of Evelyn’s life and a sharing of happy memories of “Miss Evelyn.” Memorials in her honor may be made to the Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) at Grace Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 250769, Little Rock, AR 72225.