Kay E. Evensen

Kay Ellen Evensen, 75, longtime Cle Elum resident, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at the Swedish Hospital in Seattle. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 12, 2026 at Laurel Hill Memorial Park with a reception to follow at the Cle Elum Senior Center.

Kay was born on October 15, 1950 in Nuremberg, Germany to Chester and Dorothy (Iverson) Sunski. Her father was a Captain in the United States Army so her early years were spent moving around the world as his duty stations changed, eventually settling down in Seattle where she graduated high school in 1968. Following graduation, Kay attended nursing school in California, later lived in Alaska and returned to the Pacific Northwest where she made her home in Quincy.

Since Quincy is a small town, Kay first met Richard Evensen in 1979. They became friends and in early 1995 they started dating, eventually marrying on October 7, 1995. They moved to Cle Elum in 1996 and have lived here since that time. She was diagnosed with cancer in 1993 and was given a life expectancy of five years. She fought hard and beat those odds by over 33 years.

Kay had a varied work history over the years, including 17 years as an EMT on the Quincy ambulance, but her favorite role was being a homemaker and mother. Over the years, she received the nickname “Mama Kay” from many kids in the community. She was a regular fixture at many Cle Elum-Roslyn sporting events when her son, Pat, was in school, and remained an active member of the CERHS Booster Club many years after he graduated.

Kay had a kind heart, a gentle smile and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She is survived by her husband, Richard Evensen of Cle Elum; sons Pat (Rose) Weaver of Cle Elum and Richard (DeeDee) Epperson of Malot; grandchildren Monika, Lynzy, Tony, Kamilla and Fredrick; cousins Lynn Sunski Magee, Larry Sunski, Matt Sunski and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Michael Sunski and sister Diane Parrish.

Memorial contributions in Kay’s honor are suggested to the Cle Elum-Roslyn High School Booster Club.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Cle Elum. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com