Evelyn Joy Schlager

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
It is with deep sadness that we inform you that our sister, Evelyn Joy Schlager, spouse of Rev. Robert L. Schlager (deceased), died on Saturday, June 20, 2020.
 
Evelyn was a faithful companion throughout her husband’s ministry which began in the Missouri Conference. He transferred into the California-Nevada Conference in 1949, where he served as chaplain at the Wesley Foundation at Trinity UMC in Berkeley, CA. She then accompanied him to Argentina from 1955 to 1961, where he served in the Iglesia Evangélica Metodista Argentina, including service as a District Superintendent in Buenos Aires. In 1961, they returned to our Conference where he served the following California churches before retiring in 1987:  Montclair UMC Oakland, Wesley UMC Palo Alto, and First UMC Santa Rosa.
 
Evelyn was a very talented concert pianist, majoring in piano and organ in college.  She decided against becoming a professional musician but shared her gift lovingly and freely throughout her life blessing congregations and more recently the retirement home where she lived her final days.  Her piano recitals brought joy to many.   
 
Evelyn was a leader in the church, in ecumenical settings, and in her field of study.  She was an active member of United Methodist Women, Church Women United, and the American Guild of Organists. 
 
Evelyn is survived by her children, Rev. P. David Schlager of Sacramento CA, Karl Schlager of South Jordan, Utah, Sarah Bredehoeft of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Dr. Philip Schlager of Carson City, Nevada, by 11 grandchildren and by 12 great-grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to Rev. David Schlager at 2800 Notre Dame Drive, Sacramento, CA 95826.
 
Gifts in memory of Evelyn may be sent to the Conference Claimants Endowment Board, 1341 W. Robinhood Drive, Suite A, Stockton, California, 95207-5515, or the Sierra Club http://www.SierraClub.org/donate     
 
Let us continue to give God thanks for Evelyn’s life and witness and hold her family close in prayer.  In our living and in our dying, we belong to God! (Romans 14:8)

Blessings,