Evelyn Marrie Whisenhunt Detten passed from life on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the family home in Arthur City, Texas. She struggled long with Alzheimer’s dementia and was called home on Saturday morning with her family at her side.
Evelyn was born on July 20, 1952, in Sudan, Texas to Delter G, Whisenhunt and Bessie Mae Samis Whisenhunt; the youngest of 6 siblings. She was the grand-daughter of Original Choctaw enrollees Lyman Samis and Minnie Noah and the great Grand-daughter of original enrollee Mary Francis Pickens. Evelyn spent many years as an administrative assistant and manager of social services for Choctaw Nation serving with three administrations in Southeastern Oklahoma working with social programs and the Choctaw Housing Authority. She married John in Muleshoe, Texas where they both worked for the city of Muleshoe and spent 40 plus years raising 2 children before moving to Oklahoma in 1990.
She leaves to treasure her memory, husband, John Detten of the home; son, Jason N. Detten of Washington DC, and daughter Andrea N. Lee of Arthur City, TX; along with 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild. She also leaves a huge extended family and a wonderful wealth of great friends.