Evelyn Mary Psaros Larson 1934-2012

LARSON PSAROS TRIANDAFILO

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/14/2012 at 20:09:31

Sioux City Journal
March 22, 2012

SIOUX CITY -- Evelyn M. Larson, 77, of Sioux City passed away Monday, March 19, 2012, at a Sioux City hospital.

Services will be 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Nelson-Berger Northside Chapel. Interment will be at a later date in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, with family present at 5 p.m., at the funeral home. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Evelyn Mary Psaros was born on Sept. 19, 1934, in Waterloo, Iowa, to Pelagia (Triandafilo) and Nick Psaros. She grew up in Waterloo, and graduated from Waterloo West in 1952. She attended the University of Iowa on a scholarship, and completed her bachelor's degree from Iowa State Teacher's College (UNI) in 1956.

It was during her college years that Evelyn truly discovered her passion for live theater. An audition for a small part in "The Crucible" turned into a major role, and Evelyn's life would be forever changed.

Teaching positions in Independence and Perry, Iowa, followed college and in 1959, she was married to Manual James "Eppie" Lempares, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. They had two children and Evelyn was a homemaker who also helped her husband operate Eppie's Gaslight. During this time she also made her mark at the Fort Dodge Community Theater.

The family moved to Sioux City in 1968 and it was there that Evelyn was truly able to immerse herself in her craft. Her initial performance at the Sioux City Community Theater in "Absence of a Cello" would mark the beginning of a long tradition of excellence and influence as an actor, director and board member. At that time, she also began a long career with Job Service of Iowa, most notably as a veteran's representative.

A second marriage to fellow actor Robert Larson provided them the opportunity to collaborate on many successful productions. Bob's untimely death left Evelyn a widow at 46, and it was her calling to the theater that healed her and through which she made her life and the life of countless fellow actors and audience members brighter.

Evelyn's life was once again changed forever in 1992 when she suffered a debilitating stroke. Her love of her family, both at home and theatrical, along with her independent nature, kept her as active as possible.

Her indomitable spirit, her sarcasm, her generosity and her immense talent defines her to the family members and friends who mourn her passing. Her daughter, Stacy Brothers of Ames, Iowa; her son, James Lempares of Sioux City; five grandchildren, Anthony, Dominique, and Katherine Lempares, Grantland and Tristan Brothers; and countless actors, actresses and friends who have been affected by knowing her.

Memorial contributions will be donated equally to the theater companies in Sioux City. Play on!