The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Lou Evans Shofner, 66, died after a long illness on April 22, 2019 at OHSU in Portland. She was a Puget Island resident for the past five years. Lou was born on December 1, 1952 in Lubbock, Texas to Jim and Mary (Tune) Evans. She graduated high school in Arlington, Texas and went on to Texas Woman’s University where she received her bachelor's degree. On May 26, 1973 she married Tom Shofner at the chapel on the grounds of Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. She later earned her Master’s degree in education from Lamar University.

Lou was an accomplished, passionate educator for more than thirty years. Her calling was working with students with special needs, and over her career she earned certifications as a special education teacher, clinical diagnostician, and vocations counselor. One of her greatest joys was advocating for children with special needs and seeing them grow in their education and careers.

She retired from the Denver Public Schools when she and Tom moved to Kalama 13 years ago to be near their daughters. Lou loved a good treasure hunt and was an adventurous woman who enjoyed the outdoors with her family.

She is survived by her husband Tom, daughters, Caroline Backman and son-in-law Mike, Virginia Shofner and Rebecca Shofner, her mother Mary Evans, a brother, Cliff Evans, a sister, Jane Butler, three grandchildren, Heidi, Wyatt and Dalton, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Jim Evans and a sister, Nancy Evans.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday May 4 at Riverview Community Church in Kalama at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Lou’s name to Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation (https://netrf.org) or Lois Merrill Foundation (https://www.thelmf.com).

Dowling Funeral Home of Cathlamet is in charge of arrangements.

- Paid Obituary -