Evelyn Erdman

Evelyn Erdman was born in Barons, Alberta, daughter of Gustav and Linda Erdman. Both her parents emigrated from Estonian to Canada years earlier. The youngest of three children, Evelyn received much of her education at Barons Consolidated School but enrolled at a school in Calgary to complete her senior year. The valedictorian of her class, Evelyn received her Bachelor of Sciences from the University of Alberta and became a Registered Dietician (RD) after completing a one-year practicum at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal.

Evelyn's first position was with the Medicine Hat General Hospital where she helped plan meals for both patients and staff. After just one year she returned to the University of Alberta as a lecturer in the Home Economics department. Her time teaching at the University of Alberta was a rewarding experience.

Canadian Western Natural Gas hired Evelyn initially as a home economist and later as the Director of Home Services, a position she held for 33 years until her retirement in 1990. Much of her responsibilities focused on the promotion of domestic gas appliances in southern Alberta. Handling media relations, Evelyn was a guest on several radio programs providing listeners with useful gas appliance advice and tips. Over time she developed a food column with the Calgary Herald based on a number of cook books and pamphlets that had been previously produced in the department of Home Services.

Upon retirement, Evelyn concentrated much of her time on hobbies. During the winter she completes needlework, knitting, and quilting projects. During the summer months she spends time outdoors in her garden. Along with her mother, she traveled to Estonia in 1967 to visit relatives, a trip she found to be most enjoyable and educational.