Evelyn J. Bertran – Hales

“I had one last bike ride and although I go alone, don’t grieve for my passing. Instead rejoice in the beauty of our magnificent world and follow your heart to each new adventure.”

Evelyn “Eve” Bertran-Hales was born to Cecil Mack and Ethel Payne Collins on December 22, 1948, in Auburn, Illinois. She was lucky number seven of nine children. After high school Eve moved to Utah, married, and in 1975 became the mother to her one and only child, Elizabeth Ann “Libby.” She and Libby were two peas in a pod and spent their days together gardening, having popcorn and movie nights, participating in Girl Scouts and ballet, and attending the Utah Symphony. Fridays were spent shopping at ZCMI and lunch at the Tiffin Room. She IS the most amazing mother and has always supported Libby throughout her life.

Eve kept busy being a devoted mother and in 1988 Eve found and married her soulmate, Kenneth Robert Bertran. There are simply not enough words to explain their love and how they enjoyed life. They shared a love of adventure to different areas of the world always riding on two wheels either motorcycle or bicycle.

In 1997 she was asked by her future son-in-law Chad, for her daughter’s hand in marriage. Eve’s immediate response was “NO! Libby is going to live at home with me forever.” But eventually said “Yes!” and wholeheartedly welcomed him into the family. The little family grew and Eve was thrilled to become Nana to her granddaughters, Ireland Elizabeth and Isabelle Nicole. The two brought so much joy to Eve’s life and filled it with an even greater love. Between spending time with her daughter and granddaughters, volunteering with many local events, she and Ken had amazing adventures and made many lasting friendships all over the world.

On August 11, 2007, Ken took his last bike ride and left this world for eternal adventures. Through her devastating heartbreak Eve pushed through the sorrow and enjoyed her life with Chad, Libby, Ireland, Isabelle, and her wonderful family and friends.

The next chapter of her life was an added blessing. Don and Patricia Hales had known Eve and Ken through Symphony Guild. At the 2010 Christmas Symphony Guild luncheon, Eve and Don bumped into each other. The widow and widower visited and began a conversation journey. After a short time, they started on a path that led to their marriage on July 16, 2011. It took some courage to become part of the Hales family. Don brought to the relationship his eight children and 32 grandchildren and eventually 35 great-grandchildren. What a challenge to just know their names! Eve easily settled into the role of a wonderful, caring companion to Don and took this large, energetic family into her heart and life. The family found in her a genuine, loving spirit who they accepted with open arms and hearts.

During the past 10 years Eve and Don were not idle. She was a very skilled gardener and created a place of beauty and serenity. While they savored their time at home in Salt Lake City and Southern Utah, the two also enjoyed the outdoors and hiked, snowshoed, and bicycled together. Don and Eve added a three-wheel motorcycle to their collection of bicycles.  They traveled and appreciated this great country with wonderful friends. With many choice friends from motorcycle and bicycle tours, Eve had a rich life. 

Over the past five years she served with Don as an ordinance worker in the Salt Lake and Jordan River Temples. Eve’s devotion and love for this work filled her with great joy. She had a deep love for her Savior and served faithfully as disciple of Him. 

This wonderful wife and mother will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband, Don, daughter, Libby, and son-in-law, Chad, granddaughters, Ireland and Isabelle, her siblings Juanita, Mary, Linda, Margaret, and Kenny as well as countless friends and neighbors.  

Eve is preceded in death by her parents, Mack and Ethel Collins; her “self-adopted” parents, Clair and June Outzen; her loving husband and soulmate, Kenneth Bertan; brother, Jack, and sisters Louise and Judy. 

Eve leaves an amazing legacy of a life well lived. She deeply loved those around her and you were a better person for knowing her. “In life don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, May 19th, from 6 to 8 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake Cirty.  You’re invited to come and share your memories of Eve at this casual gathering. Adults Only Please. 

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 20, at 11:00 am, at the Grandeur Peak Ward located at 3510 South 3610 East in Millcreek. The service can be viewed via Zoom: 

https://zoom.us/j/97795003342?pwd=WWRyZ0VJeC8rb2dleS9WdWZlb0RYUT09

Meeting ID: 977 9500 3342

Passcode: 125602