Evelyn May (Bearbower) Peska, 21 Mar 1939 - 26 Feb 2023

PESKA, BEARBOWER, MOORE, SEBETKA, HOWELL, RITCHIE, MILLER, MOSES, OLSEN, TRIPP, SHAULL, KLOUDA

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 3/7/2023 at 15:41:34

Evelyn May Peska, age 83, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Marengo, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023, at Living Center West in Cedar Rapids. Funeral Services: 11:00 A.M. Friday, March 3, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marengo with Pastor Andrew Gray officiating. Burial will be in the Marengo Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 P.M. Thursday, March 2, 2023, at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. A memorial fund has been established.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Bill Peska of Sigourney, Lorene Peska of Marengo, Joann Sebetka (Chuck Dunning) of Cedar Rapids, Mary (Tim) Moore of Fairfax, and Scotty Peska of Cedar Rapids; thirteen grandchildren, Dominique Peska-Howell (Holly) of Fresno, CA, Troy (Melissa) Peska of Belle Plaine, Jesse Peska of Sigourney, Stephenie (Kevin) Ritchie of Cedar Rapids, Allison Peska of Marengo, Virginia Miller of Marengo, Dalandra Peska (Steve Sams) of Delta, Matthew Moore of Cedar Rapids, Mollie Moses (Matthew) of Ely, Marcus (Katelyn) Moore of Cedar Rapids, Austin Sebetka (Elizabeth Abernathy) of Cedar Rapids, Kelsey Olsen of Cedar Rapids, and Alex Peska of South English; and 17 great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind a sister Norma Tripp of West Union, and a brother Marshall Bearbower of Minnesota.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Dale Dean Peska in 2010, two sons, Thomas and Steve Peska, a grandson Jeremiah Shaull, a great granddaughter Nova Peska, her twin brother Everett Bearbower, a sister Martha Klouda, a brother Dick Bearbower and a daughter-in-law Debora Peska.

Evelyn May Bearbower was born March 21, 1939, to Everett Sr. and Mildred Moore Bearbower. She attended the Vinton schools, graduating in 1957. She went on to attend a Bible College in Minnesota. She and Dale Dean Peska were married on September 5, 1959, at the Assembly of God Church in Vinton. The couple settled in Chelsea where Dale worked at the lumberyard and also farmed. Evelyn stayed busy raising her seven children. They moved on to Marengo, where Evelyn worked at the Marengo Hospital and then the University of Iowa. She also was employed by several restaurants over the years including Seven Villages. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Marengo, St. John’s Ladies Aid, and the Marengo American Legion Auxiliary. She enjoyed cake decorating, sewing, and baking. Her cooking was superb, and the family fondly remembers “fried chicken on Sunday.” She liked solving the crossword puzzles, and also liked Bingo, if she could win! But Evelyn cherished every moment she could spend with her family and grandchildren. They were her main focus in life. In 2020 she moved into Living Center West where she was active in most activities there and enjoyed the visits from all her family and friends.

The family wishes to extend their thanks and appreciation to the staff of Living Center West for the care and attention given to Evelyn during her stay there.

Published in The Hometown Current on March 8, 2023.