Evelyn Florence Johnson Sailer passed away on October 20, 2023.
She was born in Buffalo, NY, the daughter of the late Eunice and Robert Johnson. She grew up in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ and graduated from Ridgewood High School and enjoyed the lasting friendships of several classmates.
She graduated with a BA in French from Denison University, spending her Junior Year in France. Evelyn was awarded membership in Pi Delta Pi, French Honor Society, and was a member of Alpha Phi sorority. She worked with the Fulbright Scholarship group at the Institute of International Education in NYC where her mother had also begun her career.
Evelyn moved to Germany in 1957 in order to continue studying German at Tübingen University, where she worked at the University Library. She met her husband Hans Sailer there and they were married in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ in December 1958. Because of his career, they lived briefly in High Point, NC before moving to Anderson, IN where they had two children. Evelyn earned an MEA degree in elementary education at Ball State University and began teaching in Anderson, IN. The family moved to Duesseldorf, Germany, Summerville, SC where she taught fifth grade and then to Newport News, VA. Evelyn taught sixth grade and upper school French at Hampton Roads Academy until her retirement. After Han’s temporary assignment for Siemens in Michigan, they moved to Williamsburg. Evelyn served as a Deacon, Elder, and taught Sunday School at the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants and The Elder William Brewster Society.
While in Anderson, IN, Evelyn helped found a chapter of American Field Service for exchange students at Madison Heights HS. In Duesseldorf, Germany she established a Junior Girl Scout Troop at the American International School. In Summerville, SC, she helped establish a high school swimming and diving championship program. She was active in the SEA Teachers’ Union, acting as Ombudsman at her school. While living in Michigan, she became a certified scuba diver. In Williamsburg, Evelyn was a volunteer at Ruxton Health of Williamsburg to give weekly manicures for the residents. She won many medals while participating in the Virginia Senior Games in swimming, cycling, and track.
She is predeceased by her husband of 54 years and survived by a son, Kenneth Sailer and daughter-in-law Susan of Lawrenceville, GA; her daughter, Karen Stotlar; three grand-children: Jacob Stotlar, Samantha Sailer, and Sabrina Sailer.
Services are pending and will be updated shortly.
