Born Evelyn Violet Iff in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
on March 25, 1935 to Paul and Hilda Iff.
Evelyn passed away peacefully with family
while listening to her favorite Swiss music on
July 12, 2020. She was the youngest of three
daughters affectionately known as “Evie” when
she was growing up. In her youth, she was
a gymnast and spent a couple years abroad
studying in Germany. When she returned to the
US her love for gymnastics continued which
is where she met her husband, Robert (Bob)
Reutimann, a Swiss gymnast at a tournament
in Cleveland, Ohio in 1955. They had a longdistance
courtship and were married on July
7, 1959 after a gymnastic meet in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
After reading about the Pacific NW in National Geographic
magazine, they decided to honeymoon in Spokane, Seattle,
and Portland. In 1960 after their first child Richard was born,
Bob & Evelyn decided to move to Seattle to raise their family
where Michael, Ruth and Linda were born. They raised four
children moving to various neighborhoods beginning in Lake
City and ultimately settling on Mercer Island in 1975 where
they lived until 2015. Evelyn was actively involved with her
children and grandchildren’s school, activities, and sporting
events. She was also an active member of the Mercer Island
Covenant Church, the Swiss Ski Club at Stevens Pass and
the Seattle Swiss Society. Evelyn spent countless weekends
beginning in 1965 when the Swiss Ski Club was founded,
skiing with her family. She skied into her seventies with her
grandchildren
Evelyn and Bob were fortunate to travel the world and their
passion for boating allowed them to explore more of their
beloved Northwest. Bob was inspired by Evelyn’s ability to
clip coupons and find great deals resulting in
their boat being named the “Coupon Clipper”.
During their travels, Evelyn was always
prepared with supplies and necessities. One
never went hungry with her variety of snacks.
She was truly a treasure offering life lessons
through humor as she forged through life
singing songs and strumming on her autoharp.
Her love of playing games such as Scrabble and
Qwirkle was passed on through generations
with her often winning even against the
youngest of grandchildren.
Evelyn was a multi-talented, gifted woman.
Her faith remained steadfast and constant
throughout her life. She was a loving devoted
wife, wonderful nurturing mother to four, awesome
grandmother to seven, loyal sister, aunt and a special friend to
all. Evelyn’s family always looked forward to the holidays; she
would make her special homemade desserts such as nussgipfel
and cinnamon rolls or she would divide her favorite See’s or
Swiss chocolate into equal pieces for all to share. To know and
have her in your life was truly a gift.
Evelyn is survived by her four children, Richard Reutimann
(wife Pattie ); Mike Reutimann (wife Rebecah); Ruth Moore;
Linda Reutimann (husband Mark), seven grandchildren Tyler,
Haley (husband Eric), Erika (husband Cody), Brandt, Zach,
Tanner and Taylor and her sister Erika.
Due to Covid, the family will have a private graveside service
with a future celebration of life when allowed.
The Reutimann family would like to extend our love and
gratitude to all of you who provided us with your love &
support during these difficult times. Remembrances may be
made to a charity of your choice.
