Evelyn Bircher Obituary

| | Evelyn Jean Coombs Bircher, 93, passed away Thursday, April 20, 2023. She was born on November 19, 1929 in Sioux, Falls, South Dakota to Albertus "J" Coombs and Margaret Gelbach. Her childhood was spent in Perth and Wichita, Kansas, graduating from East High School. As a stenographer and secretary at Boeing Aircraft Company, she met Robert (Bob) Neal Bircher who worked there as an accountant. They were married on June 12, 1949, with their only child, Jena Paulette, coming two years later. They were married two months shy of 60 years at his passing in 2009. In 1959 this Bircher Family moved to Englewood, Colorado, proceeding to become involved in the management of several restaurants, until Jean and Bob became owners of the Littleton Smorgasbord in Littleton, Colorado. In her teen years Jena helped her dad in the kitchen while her mom was cashier and loved welcoming and visiting with customers. Jean's mother, Margaret, moved to live with the family for 30 years following the death of her second husband, and joined in on all the many family trips and activities. The poodle, Candy, completed Jean's expanded family. With the sale of the restaurant, and Bob going into real estate, Jean and Bob enjoyed trips to Hawaii, Switzerland, England, Ireland, and Spain. Following her mother and husband's deaths, she moved to live with her daughter and husband, Robert Janek, in San Angelo, Texas in 2014. Jean's major 10-year passion was researching and publishing a book of Jena's ancestors back to 1794. She was a singer since youth, and was always working on elaborate needlework projects. She was a perfectionist, honest, had high standards, was a nutrition "health nut", and most of all, enjoyed having fun! Preceding her in death was her brother, Richard Wilford (Rik) Coombs, and her husband, Robert Neal Bircher. Surviving her is her brother William (Bill) and wife Sue Coombs of La Mesa, California, her daughter Jena and husband, Robert Janek of San Angelo, TX, her grandson, Daryl and wife Mary Janek of South Burlington, Vermont, and numerous nieces and nephews. A viewing will be held on Sunday, April 23, 2023 from 4:00 - 6:00 p. m. at Johnson's Funeral Home in San Angelo. On Wednesday, April 26, 2023 at 11:00 a. m. a second viewing and funeral service will be held at Frank Funeral Home in Wellington, Kansas with Revs, Robert and Jean Janek officiating. Following services, interment will take place at the Bethany Cemetery, Perth, Kansas. Memorial Donations may be made to Sagecrest Alzheimer's Care Center at Baptist Retirement Community (P. O. Box 5661, San Angelo, TX 76902). Local arrangements have been entrusted to Frank Funeral Home, Wellington, Kansas.