Evelyn Mae (Reed) ANDERSON

ANDERSON, NORDLING, ENYART, REED, GRIFFEL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/28/2010 at 07:35:42

July 28, 2010
Fort Dodge Messenger, Iowa

EAGLE GROVE - Evelyn Mae Anderson, 89, most recently a resident of the Rotary Ann Care Facility, Eagle Grove, Iowa, formerly of the Clarion/Goldfield, Iowa, areas, died, Monday, July 26, 2010, at the Rotary Ann Care Facility, surrounded by her loving family. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 29, 2010, at the Park Church of Christ, Goldfield, Iowa. Pastor Robert Dishman will be officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion, Iowa. Visitation will be at the church in Goldfield from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and continue one hour prior to the service at church on Thursday. Those wishing to express their sympathies through a memorial in Evelyn's name may direct them in care of the family or to their own wishes.

Evelyn Mae Reed, the daughter of George and Meta "Mattie" Louise Griffel Reed, was born, June 13, 1921, in rural Clarion, Iowa. Evelyn was baptized and confirmed at the Park Church of Christ in Goldfield where she was an active member for most of her life. She attended rural Wright County Country Schools. Evelyn was united in marriage to Alvin W. Anderson, on March 30, 1944. The couple's union was blessed with four children, including and infant daughter, Eileen Marie Anderson, born, Sept. 15, 1945-died, Sept. 25, 1945, a son, Steve Anderson, and two daughters, Linda and Kathleen.

Throughout her life, Evelyn was a full time wife, partner in the farming operations, nurturing mother, and loving grandmother. Her devotion to providing for the needs of her husband, children, and grandchildren was boundless and unending. Evelyn was a hardworking partner with her husband on the farm and could be seen alongside him in caring for the livestock, helping bring a new animal into the world, or driving tractor and plow, or various other machinery in fulfillment of one of many different farming tasks. She could also be found diligently and meticulously strolling the bean fields in search of weeds and other non-essential plants in the fields. Evelyn always raised a large garden filled with bountiful produce and beautiful flowers. She enjoyed mowing and maintaining the yard around the farm building site and took great pride in the meticulous results of this task. In addition to the labors of the farming operations, Evelyn was an excellent cook and her family will remember her wonderful aromas and tantalizing tastes of home made rolls, ginger snaps, fried chicken and numerous other culinary delights made with her loving hands and many times without a recipe. Of course one of the favorite desserts that they looked forward to was her "famous coconut creme" pie, or her well known pink apple sauce, all washed down with ice cold water or other refreshments from her famous "green jars."

Evelyn's many favorite past times included sewing, playing cards, making quilts, handicrafts, teddy bears, hand made Easter eggs, table runners, and many other items for both her family, church organizations, and to display at the fair. She was an avid reader throughout her life and had a superb wit and sense of humor. Many will remember Evelyn for her funny and unique old sayings. Her grandchildren will cherish the many times they spent with Grandma Evelyn and the individual time and attention she always gave to each one of them. Evelyn made time for everyone it seemed no matter how busy she may have been. Evelyn and her husband did some traveling after retiring from active farming and had wintered in the southern parts of the U.S. Following Alvin's passing on March 23, 1994, Evelyn continued to do some traveling on her own to visit family and friends. Another favorite outing might also include a trip to the casino of a well managed bit of gambling, or a bus trip to another destination. Evelyn became a resident of of the Rotary Ann facility in the fall of 2002 and had maintained a full and active life in her years there enjoying the many activities, staff, fellow residents, and of course family visits and outings. Her legacy will most certainly focus on her dedication and devotion to her family, her farm, and her faith life.

Her memory will live on in the lives of her children, Steve (Rita) Anderson, 1729 200th St., Clarion, IA, 50525; her daughter, Linda (Gary) Nordling, Sioux Falls, SD, and Kathleen (Douglas) Enyart, Monroe, IA; her brother, Robert Reed, Tuscon, AZ; 6 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter, Eileen, husband, Alvin, and three brothers, Elvin, Loren, and Warren Reed, Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA.