Evelyn "Ev" Straight, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at St. Martin Village in Rapid City, SD.

Born on May 24, 1926, in Sheridan, WY, Evelyn was the second oldest daughter of Clarence and Helen Colman.  She grew up in and around Sheridan with her parents and 8 siblings.  After graduating from Sheridan High School in 1943, she went to work for the Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad which began her lifelong love of trains.  In 1947, Ev moved to Billings, MT and was an active member of the community for the next 66 years.  She retired in 1985 after 42 years with Burlington Northern Railroad and focused the remainder of her life on her family and her volunteer pursuits at St. Vincent Hospital and St. Patrick's Cathedral in Billings, among others.  In 2013, she moved to Rapid City, SD to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law, where she lived until her death.

Evelyn was a small but mighty force in the world with many interests and hobbies.  She began riding motorcycles in 1952 because it was the most economical mode of transportation.  She loved being on the open road with the wind in her face, often saying "There is such freedom on the back of a motorcycle!"  She was a member of Motor Maids, Inc (an all-female motorcycle club) for 70 years and took innumerable trips around the country to attend the annual conferences with her friends and fellow riders.  Her final ride on the back of a bike was in July 2021 covering 2,990 miles at the age of 95!  Evelyn also loved to bake and routinely sent home baked breads and cookies in care packages to her loved ones.  She was a passionate volunteer, a dedicated bowler, and an avid reader.  Rarely without a cup of coffee, no matter the time of day, she was also known for her predilections for burnt toast with peanut butter, doughnuts, and ice cream ("No soft serve, give me the good stuff!").  Evelyn was a deeply faithful Catholic, saying a rosary daily which occasionally took all day due to unplanned but well-deserved naps in between prayers.  Evelyn was a remarkable woman with grit and determination, a gentle spirit, and distinctive and infectious laugh that she shared with her sisters.  She was well loved by many, and she loved many well.  She will be greatly missed.

Evelyn is survived by her daughter Terrie Thurston, son-in-law Chuck Trumble, two granddaughters, Camille Thurston and Tina Moen, three great grandchildren, Shelby Moen, Ethan Moen, and Bowden Albert, two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Colman and Nancy Sampson, and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents and siblings, brothers- and sisters-in-law.

A visitation service will be held on June 14, 2022, from 4pm to 6pm followed by a Rosary at 6pm at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home at 2700 Jackson Blvd, Rapid City, SD.  A Celebration of Life Mass will be held on June 15, 2022, at 10am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Cathedral at 520 Cathedral Dr, Rapid City, SD.  An additional Celebration of Life memorial service will be held in Billings, MT later in the summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, ZooMontana, Heifer International, or Cornerstone Rescue Mission.