Evelyn Lorraine (Sohl) RIGBY

RIGBY, SOHL, FOSTER, HUGLEY, HACKNEY, WARD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/25/2015 at 12:25:49

August 22, 1915--- September 16, 2015

Evelyn Rigby, 100, of Ankeny, went to be with our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 16, 2015, at Taylor House Hospice. Family will greet friends for visitation services Sunday, September 20, 2015, from 4-8 p.m., at Ankeny Funeral Home located at 1510 West First Street in Ankeny, Iowa. A celebration of Evelyn's life will take place Monday, September 21, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at Ankeny First United Methodist Church, 206 SW Walnut Street in Ankeny, Iowa. Interment will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens.

Evelyn Lorraine Sohl Rigby, daughter of Rev. Laurence and Elizabeth Sohl, was born August 22, 1915, in Dysart, Iowa, the third of three children. As a minister's daughter, Evelyn lived in Dysart, Meservey, Council Bluffs, Waverly, and Renwick, Iowa, and one year in Donna, Texas. She graduated from Renwick High School in 1933 and Western Union College (Westmar College), LeMars, Iowa, in 1937 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and a minor in English. She was forever grateful that Western Union College created a music scholarship for her as accompanist for students and guest performers.

Evelyn met her husband, Harlan (Rig), while teaching in Belmond, Iowa. They were married in Council Bluffs at Salem Evangelical Church on August 25, 1939, and were blessed with 53 wonderful years together. To this union, two sons and two daughters were born - Jim, Mary, Roxanne, and Craig. The Rigbys lived in Coon Rapids, Ida Grove, Greenfield, and Ankeny, Iowa.

At an early age, Evelyn was fascinated by the hymns she heard at church. After arriving home, she immediately ran to the piano and played the hymn melodies with her right hand. Playing by ear and then, reading music, brought a wonderful versatility to her many accomplishments as a musician throughout her life.

Evelyn's teaching career began in Alden, Iowa after graduating from college and continued at Belmond, Orient, Richland Township, and Bridgewater during the 40's and 50's. She taught elementary music in Ankeny for 20 years, retiring in 1980. Her music activities through the years included organist for a total of 65 years, at First United Methodist Church in Greenfield, Iowa, and Ankeny First United Methodist Church, bell choir for 27 years, accompanist for Ankeny instrumental students, accompanist for Act II, a musical group from Ankeny Community Theater, and playing piano at area churches, funeral homes, retirement and nursing homes. Evelyn's sing-alongs at Mill-Pond Retirement Community in Ankeny, where she resided since 2007, were greatly enjoyed by many of the residents. She was a member of PEO Sisterhood for 72 years, Delta Kappa Gamma, United Methodist Women, and Ruth Circle.

Those left to cherish Evelyn's memory are her four children, Jim (Barbara) Rigby of St. Louis, MO, Mary (Jerry) Foster of Normal, IL, Roxanne (Jim) Hugley of Des Moines, IA, and Craig Rigby of West Des Moines, IA; six grandchildren, Timothy (Pamela) Rigby, Tara Rigby (Bob) Hosanna, Robert (Stephanie) Hackney, Kristin Hackney, Adam (Rachelle) Hugley, and Sara Hugley; five great-grandchildren, Jay, Jessica, and Anna Rigby, Ellie and Jack Hackney, and a lifetime of precious friends. Evelyn's husband, Harlan, her mother and father, her brother, Gerald Sohl, and sister, MayBelle Ward, preceded her in death.

Evelyn's final month in her assisted living apartment was extraordinary with the celebration of her 100th birthday. Family and friends shared loving birthday wishes, special memories, and heartfelt appreciation for her wonderful life. She was truly blessed to know that her deep faith, generosity, and music ministry touched many lives. Evelyn's family expresses their sincere appreciation to Mill-Pond Assisted Living, Mill-Pond Health Care Center, and Taylor House Hospice, for their loving attention and care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Music Program at Ankeny First United Methodist Church or Mill-Pond Retirement Community.

Des Moines Register - Des Moines, Iowa
September 21, 2015