Mitch and Lynn Evenson are keeping their daughter’s memory alive by giving back to the community through their donor advised fund, the Ashley Evenson Memorial Fund, created up by Mitch, Lynn, and Ashley’s grandparents, Dr. Tim and Mrs. Karen Evenson.
On the 4th anniversary of Ashley’s passing (Aug 10), the Evensons donated $500 to Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release, Inc. in Colfax. They decided on this organization due to Ashley’s love for and connection to animals of all kinds. Mitch and Lynn visited the facility to hand the check directly to Patti Stangel, owner and operator of Wildlife Rehab.
ABOUT ASHLEY
Ashley Evenson, the daughter of Mitch and Lynn Evenson, was born on February 23, 1987. She spent the first six weeks of her life in the neonatal intensive care unit. When she went home, she weighed only 4 lbs. 3 oz. She had beautiful and amazingly long eyelashes. Her laugh even as a baby was very infectious and her smile was huge. At the age of 14 months she was diagnosed with Cockayne Syndrome. This rare genetic disease caused premature aging of the body called progeria. Her body aged rapidly, and she experienced all the symptoms of aging that elderly people do.
Ashley, whose favorite color was purple, did not let Cockayne Syndrome stop her from doing the things she loved. She enjoyed art, drawing, music and playing video games. Ashley had a particular love for and connection with animals. Lynn noted that Ashley would have adopted any animal she encountered and even suggested adding a tarantula to the household.
She had many childhood friends through school and a best friend in her neighborhood. Ashley was a proud graduate of Menomonie High School. Lavonne Solem, Ashley’s former teacher, said Ashley loved to come to school and described her as fun loving, determined, sensitive to others, assertive, and adventurous. She enjoyed the outdoors; campfires and hikes at the School District’s Environmental Site were favorite activities. “Ashley enjoyed the company of her classmates. Sometimes they’d laugh so hard Ashley would cry,” said Lavonne. “Ashley’s body was tiny (under five feet tall) but her personality wasn’t,” she added. Lavonne treasures a ceramic flamingo Ashley made for her during art classes.
In 2008, Ashley moved into the Comforts of Home, where she lived the rest of her life. Her lively spirit and delightful sense of humor made it easy for her to make lifelong friends with staff and residents. Ashley was a bit of a prankster. She especially enjoyed Halloween when she could display a tombstone with a skull that cackled and surprised visitors when they entered her room. No matter how many times the skull caught someone off guard, Ashley could not help but laugh.
Julie Colson, the Activities Director at Comforts of Home, described Ashley as “the life of the party.” She was always involved in whatever activity was planned. “Ashley never wanted to miss out on anything. She was full of energy and we all miss her.” The two would walk together on the grounds whenever they could, and Julie recounted a memorable afternoon when they were able to fly a kite.
As the disease progressed, Ashley’s body aged to that of an 80-year-old even though she maintained a youthful appearance. She required specialized care and had frequent medical appointments. Ashley was always a real trooper,” said Lynn. “She had many more good days than bad until the end. She didn’t complain much either. I loved caring for her, and I always tried to aspire to her outlook on life, as difficult as it could be at times. She is a role model for me.”
Ashley passed away on August 10, 2019. Her parents and grandparents, Dr. Tim and Mrs. Karen Evenson, started the Ashley Evenson Memorial Fund at the Community Foundation of Dunn County to honor her memory and to support the organizations that enriched Ashley’s life, especially those related to the arts, animals and that support people with special needs.
ABOUT WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AND RELEASE
Patti Stangel has devoted her life to rescuing and rehabilitating abandoned wildlife and helping others do the same. Every day she nurses back to health, feeds, shelters, and cleans up after the animals in her care. Every day she rescues more animals and answers questions of those who call her concerned about animals they believe may need assistance. On special days, she releases back into the wild animals who she feels confident are ready.
In 2020 she cared for 1500 animals.
She became interested in wildlife rehabilitation as a photographer when she took pictures of the wildlife at White Pine, a wildlife rehabilitation center in the area. Her love of these animals drew her to volunteer at the center, and over the years, she learned a great deal about them and their rehab. When White Pines closed in 2010 leaving the area without a wildlife rehab, she decided to open her own center.
Patti’s outstanding credentials enable WRR to help many species. She holds the Wisconsin State Advanced Wildlife Rehabilitation license, the Wisconsin State Non-profit Educational Exhibit license, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Special Possession – Live Migratory Birds for Educational Use permit and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Rehabilitation permit.
Her first full year of operation in 2012 Patti rehabilitated and released 484 birds and other animals. Since then she has helped countless eagles, owls, ducks, hawks, fox, raccoon, woodchucks, countless songbirds, turtles and other native species.
WRR is 501c3 (number TE 31306) certified, ensuring that donations may be deducted on taxes to the full extent of the law. WRR receives no local, state or federal funding but relies entirely on donations. Your contribution will help create the “safe haven” we so desperately need for our wildlife in Wisconsin.
Won’t you help? Please CLICK HERE to make a donation!
In 2022, the Community Foundation helped Wildlife Rehabilitation and Release with the construction of a brand new 50-foot flight enclosure for avian rehabilitation with a $6,000 grant. The structure is nearly complete and ready to begin housing avian creatures very soon!
