Evalyn Batten Johnson

March 17, 1936-June 21, 2026

Evalyn Batten Johnson, 90, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2026. She was a third generation of Batten's in Virginia City and Nevada City growing up in the area as a young girl until after college only to return home upon she and her husband Richard (Dick) Johnson's retirement.

She was a committed historian and archivist and cherished the history of Madison County valley. She initially grew up in the Kramer Building on the northwest side of Wallace St. in Virigina City. She was one of a small group who completed all 12 years of school in the Viriginia City school system and went on to Western Montana College in Dillon receiving her teacher certification and then the University of Montana, Missoula, where she graduated with a degree in education.

It was in Missoula at a square dance that she met Dick, who would become her husband of 48 years. They were married at her parish, St. Mary's Catholic Church, in Laurin, MT., 1959. They spent most of their years in various locations including South Dakota, Washington, DC, Virginia, Colorado and California where Evalyn used her passion as an educator, librarian, archivist, painter and writer. Upon returning to Virginia City, she and Dick restored the Batten homestead on Idaho St. where she could be found outside tending her flower gardens, yard and trees-all within walking distance to the library-her two biggest loves.

Evalyn was always somewhere in Virginia City working as part of a civic project. She was very involved with the Historic Preservation Action Committee for the city, a member of thecemetery board and was the chair of the Madison County Library Board of Thompson-Hickman County Library for several years. As she slowed down, she focused her time as the archivist for the Dick Pace Archives located within the Thompson-Hickman County Library, writing for the Madisonian Newspaper and Montana Standard and wrote a book, Images of America: Virginia City, on behalf of the library.

She is proceeded in death by her mother Clida, her brother William (Bill) and her husband Richard (Dick). Evalyn is survived by her sons Stevan (Brandon) and Forrest (Sarah) and her grandchildren William, Ian and Ellie.

Funeral service Thursday, September 24, 2026

St. Mary's Catholic Church, Laurin, MT

10:00 a.m. Viewing

11:00 a.m. Funeral mass

Internment immediately following at Nevada City Cemetery, Nevada City, MT

1:00pm Reception, Elks Lodge, Viriginia City, MT

Arrangements have been made with K & L Mortuaries.