Evelyn Lena Dupree, 70, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 22.
She was born Sept. 25, 1940 in Escalon, to Thomas and Lena Lema. She was proud of her Portuguese decent. She was brought up in the Catholic religion and raised on her parent's ranch in Escalon along with her two brothers.
As an adult Evelyn continued to live in Escalon and raise her five girls. She was a hard worker and a good provider. She was proud to work at Tri Valley Growers (plant # 7) for 30 years as a label operator. It was there she met long time friends such as Lupe, Al, and Ophelia.
She found simple ways to spend time together with her girls like going to Woodward Reservoir, Micke Grove or just hanging out with family and friends at the Portuguese hall in Manteca. She loved to support her two brothers by going to their baseball games to watch them play. She also had many good times attending the 49ers games with her brother Denny and not a day went by without her talking on the phone to her brother Tommy. She also worked at her mom Lena's Bar (H & L Tavern) and the girls would come along and sit at the table; it was a family place and all the customers were family. It was always about family for her.
Other hobbies included bowling with her mom, gardening, reading, playing cards with her family and friends, and being the family dog sitter. She would travel to different houses and sit while her family would go on vacation. Survivors include her five daughters, Diane Valek of Modesto, Debbie Gonzales and her husband Noe of Washington, Lori Lasater and her husband Dwayne of Ceres, Tammy Ragsdale and her husband Mike and Kimberly Kamminga and her husband John, all of Ripon; her brothers Thomas "Squeek" Lema and his wife Peggy of Jamestown and Dennis Lema and his wife Diane of Modesto; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and countless aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews that she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Thomas Lema and Lena (Lema) Dupree and her stepfather Roy Dupree; son-in-law Joseph Bettencourt; niece Wendy Lema; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Lema and Mr. and Mrs. Leonardo; and beloved dog Cuddles.
Arrangements by Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel, www.deeganfuneralchapels.com
There will be a service held at Ripon Grace Brethren Church on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at the Legion Hall in Ripon.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Sept. 28, 2011
She was born Sept. 25, 1940 in Escalon, to Thomas and Lena Lema. She was proud of her Portuguese decent. She was brought up in the Catholic religion and raised on her parent's ranch in Escalon along with her two brothers.
As an adult Evelyn continued to live in Escalon and raise her five girls. She was a hard worker and a good provider. She was proud to work at Tri Valley Growers (plant # 7) for 30 years as a label operator. It was there she met long time friends such as Lupe, Al, and Ophelia.
She found simple ways to spend time together with her girls like going to Woodward Reservoir, Micke Grove or just hanging out with family and friends at the Portuguese hall in Manteca. She loved to support her two brothers by going to their baseball games to watch them play. She also had many good times attending the 49ers games with her brother Denny and not a day went by without her talking on the phone to her brother Tommy. She also worked at her mom Lena's Bar (H & L Tavern) and the girls would come along and sit at the table; it was a family place and all the customers were family. It was always about family for her.
Other hobbies included bowling with her mom, gardening, reading, playing cards with her family and friends, and being the family dog sitter. She would travel to different houses and sit while her family would go on vacation. Survivors include her five daughters, Diane Valek of Modesto, Debbie Gonzales and her husband Noe of Washington, Lori Lasater and her husband Dwayne of Ceres, Tammy Ragsdale and her husband Mike and Kimberly Kamminga and her husband John, all of Ripon; her brothers Thomas "Squeek" Lema and his wife Peggy of Jamestown and Dennis Lema and his wife Diane of Modesto; 15 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and countless aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews that she loved dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Thomas Lema and Lena (Lema) Dupree and her stepfather Roy Dupree; son-in-law Joseph Bettencourt; niece Wendy Lema; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Lema and Mr. and Mrs. Leonardo; and beloved dog Cuddles.
Arrangements by Deegan Ripon Memorial Chapel, www.deeganfuneralchapels.com
There will be a service held at Ripon Grace Brethren Church on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at the Legion Hall in Ripon.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Sept. 28, 2011
