EVELYN GAMBSKY

Evelyn G. “Shorty” Gambsky, age 91, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, August 8, 2022. She was born April 1, 1931, in Little Chute, daughter of the late Peter and Anna (Bergman) Evers.  Ev attended school at St. John's in Little Chute and worked at Scolding Locks Corp. in Appleton.

After Shorty married Fay Gambsky on November 16, 1950, at St. John's Parish. They moved to Menasha to raise five children in their home on Oneida Rd.  Fay preceded her in death on February 14, 1999.

For years, Ev and her sisters enjoyed painting, varnishing and wallpapering the houses of other family members.  Another way Shorty kept busy was volunteering with the Red Cross serving sandwiches and cookies during blood drives.  As a “reading Grandma” she was at Edison School in Appleton, listening to the youngsters read and charting their progress.  Her love for children was also evident when she worked with the Menasha Health Dept. doing the vision testing.

When not working or volunteering, Shorty enjoyed bowling.  Before Fay passed away, they had bowled on a couple's league for years and she was on a women's league continuing to sub until age 80.  Other hobbies Shorty had were knitting, crocheting, sewing and ceramics. Most recently she began to bake cookies, pies, bars etc., and gave them away to her daily visitors. 

Evelyn is survived by her five children: Peter (Peggy) Gambsky, Vickie Lucas (Dave) Black, Mike (Jackie) Gambsky, Pat (Kathy) Gambsky, Cindy (Jim) Penkala; grandchildren: Tim (Holly) Gambsky, Becky (Matt) Kinnard, Chad (Lisa) Black, Clint (Leslie) Black, Chrystal (Darryl) Pyawasay, Jody (Vicki) Goss, Cassie Gambsky, Blake Gambsky, Justin Penkala, Eric Penkala; great-grandchildren: Hunter and Makayla Gambsky, Dakota and Colby Kinnard, Austin, Nick and Sophia Black, Coty, Cory (Kimberly), Sawyer, Tehya and Alamea Pyawasay, Lilly and Kennedy Black, Ava and Charlie Goss; two sisters: Audrey Huss, Shirley (Jerry) Broeren; several nieces and nephews; and many other relatives, friends and neighbors.  Shorty was a “second” Mom, “adoptive” Gramma and a “special” friend to many.  She will be missed by all who knew her.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her in-laws: Charles and Ruby Gambsky; grandson, Jon Lucas; brothers and sisters-in-law: Marian (Joe) Joosten, Joe (Helen) Evers, Dorothy (Carl) Reider, LaVern (Norb) Kaminski, Carol Jean (Whitey) VanAsten, Mardie (Jim) Smith, Ron Huss, Orv (Shirley) Evers, Charles Gambsky Jr., Kate (Bob) Huelsbeck, Ken (Eleanor) Gambsky, Joy (Dick) Lingnowski, Beth (Sam) Overton Sumnicht.

The Mass of Resurrection will be held at 4:30 PM, on Monday, August 15, 2022, at Sacred Heart Parish, 222 E. Fremont St., Appleton.  Relatives and friends may call at the church on Monday from 1:30 PM until the hour of service.  Ev loved watching the Packers and Badgers, and her favorite colors were pink, purple and teal.  In her honor, please wear something of those to the service. 

Thank you to Moments Hospice and to Diane Reider and the Goss family for “Meals on Wheels” the last few years.