Evelyn Lillian (McNutt) MCLAUGHLIN

MCLAUGHLIN, MCNUTT, TRUMBLEE, WESSELS, SAMMONS, CARLSON

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 1/27/2011 at 12:09:42

December 21, 1911 -- January 24, 2011

BELMOND, IA - Evelyn Lillian McLaughlin, 99, a lifelong resident of Belmond, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2011, at the Belmond Medical Center, Belmond. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, Jan. 29, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Belmond. Father Nils Hernandez and Deacon Nick Schmit will be officiating. Burial will be in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery near Belmond. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St.S.E., Belmond, with a rosary prayer service at 4:30 p.m. and a Christian Wake Prayer Service and time of sharing at 7 p.m. at the funeral home on Friday. Visitation will continue on Saturday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service.

Evelyn Lillian Mclaughlin, the daughter of George Albert McNutt and Katherine Georgiana (Trumblee) McNutt, was born Dec. 21, 1911, in Lamont. Lillian's parents met at the School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs, where her father and mother graduated with honors. Lillian grew up in Belmond, where she attended school. She graduated from Belmond High School in 1930. She then worked as a secretary for the Superintendent of Schools for four years. She substituted as a telephone operator from 1925 to 1934. Lillian was united in marriage to Eugene Patrick McLaughlin on April 16, 1934. The couple lived on a farm and were blessed with six children. Lillian's life was devoted to being a wife and loving mother. Lillian loved music, playing the piano, singing, quilting, reading, writing poetry, gardening, spending time with family and keeping busy with church activities. Lillian was an original member of the St. Elizabeth Study Club since 1934. She was also a member of the St. Francis Rosary Society. Lillian was a CCD teacher for grade 6. She was often asked to play the piano for different activities. She was always eager to help on church committees.

Lillian loved feeding the birds, loved animals, enjoyed growing old-fashioned flowers and loved watching butterflies. She was a conservationist before her time, making sure to reuse or recycle and take care of the earth. Lillian was a strong, independent lady who chose to live in the same neighborhood (next to the house she grew up in) until she was 99 years of age. She drove her car until she was 95. He family was proud of her courage and strength. She was always optimistic and positive as well as deeply religious.

Lillian was preceded in death by her parents, George Albert and Katherine McNutt; her husband, Eugene McLaughlin, in 1986; a sister, Cora McNutt; a brother, Alfred George McNutt; daughter-in-law, Carol McLaughlin; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Survivors include four sons and two daughters and their families: Alfred George McLaughlin and Elaine Wessels of Belmond; Robert Eugene McLaughlin and Judy of Arlington, Va.; Kathryn Lillian and Mike Sammons, Keokuk; Jean Patricia and Denny Carlson of Sioux City; Donovan David McLaughlin and Gloria of Cascade; and Samuel Roger McLaughlin and Kim of Zanesville, Ohio. Lillian has 22 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.

Those wishing to send an expression of sympathy through a memorial in Evelyn Lillian McLaughlin's name may wish to consider St. Francis Xavier Parish-Haiti School Fund, the Belmond Community Chest or the charity of your choice. The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude for the love, care and kindness shared with Lillian by the staff of Wright County Public Health Department and to all who share their love, prayers and support during their time of loss. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, IA.

Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa
January 27, 2011