Mary Evelyn Troillett Koehler

Mary Evelyn Troillett Koehler, of Sherwood died Monday, June 28, 2010, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Little Rock. She was born in Conway, Arkansas, March 15, 1928, but grew up in Little Rock, where her father operated Dan's Shoe Shop on Kavanaugh Boulevard. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dan and Clara (Strack) Troillett, brothers Clarence and Ralph Troillett, her wonderful husband of 58 years, Walter H. Koehler, Jr., and infant sons, Joseph Anthony and John Raymond Koehler. Her brother, Ralph, quarterbacked the 1948 Junior Rose Bowl-winning Little Rock Junior College team and, later, the Arkansas Razorbacks. Evelyn attended the Cathedral School, Holy Souls, and graduated in 1945 from Mount St. Mary Academy, where she was elected a cheerleader and served as Homecoming Queen. She was blessed with a natural grace, beauty, genuine vivacity and was a loving and loyal wife, friend, and mother. We should all be so lucky to have the legion of friends she attracted and held close to her heart. She was a charter member of the Little Rock Chapter of Catholic Daughters and served in the Altar Society at St. Patrick's and Immaculate Conception parishes. Evelyn was especially devoted to the parochial school nuns, the Sisters of Mercy, who educated her and her children as well. She and Walter worked together in the family businesses, Koehler Bakery Company, and in Kitty Koehler's Kitchens, a specialty cake company, where she became known as "Kitty." They traveled widely, touring Europe, the UK, the Mediterranean, and domestically. Duplicate bridge was one of her favorite pastimes, but she was just as happy playing "Kings on the Corner" with her grandchildren. Evelyn was a natural hostess, and when Walter headed the Arkansas Chapter of the Red Cross, she entertained leaders from around the state at her Heritage Park home. Until crippling rheumatoid arthritis struck in her early 40's, she had been an enthusiastic pianist and golfer. Evelyn is survived by her brother, Raymond Troillett (Mary Jean); three sons: Daniel Walter (Edna); Robert Michael (Marilyn); Ralph Edward (Mona); 10 grandchildren; Hadley Price (Ryan), Jeffrey Koehler, Steven Koehler, David Koehler, Danny Koehler, Christopher Koehler, Adam Koehler, Katie Koehler, Anna Koehler, and Andrew Koehler, M.D. (Shelly); a great-granddaughter, Hannah Elizabeth Price, and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. Memorials may be made to Mount St. Mary Academy, 3224 Kavanaugh Blvd., Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 or Catholic High School, 6300 Father Tribou St., Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 a.m., Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. There will be a rosary at 7 p.m., Thursday at the church. Her seven strapping grandsons will bear her, pallbearers and honorary pallbearers include Ira Strack, Charles Trexler, Tim Ezzi, James Koehler, Michael Morris, Larry, Ronnie, Jimmy, Mark, Danny, and Chuck Troillett. She sends special thanks and love to her dear friend and caregiver, Belva Vega. Arrangements by North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St., 758-1170. Online obituary and guest registry at www.nlrfh.com.