Gerald Everett EVANS

EVANS, MALAISE, STUHMER, NAPIER, ANDERSON, VANLANGEN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 11/23/2013 at 12:53:23

March 15, 1935 --- October 24, 2013

Gerald E. (Gerry) Evans, 78, of Fort Dodge, died Thursday, October 24, 2013 at Paula J. Baber Hospice in Fort Dodge. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Foster Chapel, with Pastor Matthew Martens officiating. Burial will be in the French Cemetery, east of Woolstock. Visitation will be at the Foster Funeral and Cremation Center from 9:00-11:00 a.m., also on Saturday, November 2.

Gerald Everett Evans, son of Penry and Maude Malaise Evans, was born March 15, 1935 on a farm near Woolstock. He graduated from Woolstock High School in 1952. From 1955 to 1957, he served with the U. S. Army, spending one year stationed in Germany. On February 1, 1959 he married Betty Stuhmer at the Methodist Church in Woolstock. The couple then resided in Webster City until 1993, and have lived in Fort Dodge since then other than a brief time spent in Phoenix during 2003-2004. He worked for JC Penney in Webster City from 1957-1966, then began his career at Farmland Industries, eventually retiring in 2000.

Gerald is survived by his wife, Betty of Fort Dodge; daughter and son-in-law, Debra Kay (Paul) Napier of Salt Lake City, UT; sons and daughters-in-law, Jon Michael (Marsha) Evans of Fort Dodge and Steven James (Becky) Evans of Indianola; grandchildren, Eric Evans of Davenport, Rachel Evans of Fort Dodge, Zachary Napier (U.S. Marine presently stationed in Okinawa, Japan), Alexander Napier and Seth Napier both of Salt Lake City, UT, Adam and Sawyer Evans of Indianola; sister, Mildred (Joe) Anderson of Woolstock; and a sister-in-law, June (Richard) VanLangen of Jewell, 2 nieces, 2 nephews and many friends. In addition to his parents and Betty's parents (Harold and Erma Stuhmer), he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Connie Sue Evans in 1963. He also lost his beloved friend and dog Susie in 2002, never replacing her despite his great love for animals.

Gerald was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge and a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church and Moose Lodge in Webster City. He was an avid sports fan of all kinds and especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's basketball, soccer and baseball games. He loved working with his hands, always leaving things better than he found them. As he became older, his interests shifted from golf and fishing to crossword puzzles and old westerns.

For many years Gerry had health issues and bravely took each one on until he could no longer battle the cancer. As years passed his greatest happiness was having those he felt closest to by his side, Betty, children, grandchildren and sister Mildred and Joe and Pastor Martens were his greatest champions. We will all miss Gerry but our love and memories will keep him near us always. We can now rest because God has taken him to his heavenly home.

October 30, 2013
The Daily Freeman Journal - Webster City, Iowa