Evelyn Ann (Annear) DeWald was born August 15, 1935 to Eldon and Isabelle (Gute) Annear at their home in Old Carrollton. God called her home on May 12, 2016 at the age of 80 years 8 months and 27 days at the Boone County Hospital with the services of Israel Family Hospice.
Funeral services were held Monday May 16, 2016 at the Lohrville United Methodist Church with Pastor Sue Thomas officiating. Burial was made in the Highland Township Cemetery at Churdan. Musical selections “The Old Rugged Cross,” “In the Garden” and “Wind Beneath My Wings” were sung by Roger Blanchfield and accompanied by organist, Nila Spencer. The congregation sang “Here I am Lord”. Serving as casket bearers were Alan Brommel, John Henderson, Lee Gute, Gerald McComb, Alan McComb, Doug McComb and Darwin McComb. Honorary casket bearers were Dick Hardaway, Robert Gingery, Denny Gravitt, Arnie Lyons, Rick Bryce, Bill Bryce and Joseph Mulvihill.
Evelyn was the second of three children. She had a sister, Betty and a brother, Alvin. Evelyn attended schools in Bayard and Coon Rapids before moving to the Lohrville area in the 4th grade. Growing up she worked on the farm milking cows, taking care of chickens and helping her mother with her brother who was born crippled.
Evelyn graduated from Lohrville School in 1953 and moved to the Des Moines area for employment, but returned home on weekends and holidays. Evelyn met her husband (Ruben) at the Adaza Store which her sister was operating at the time. They were united in marriage on February 5, 1955 at the United Methodist Church in Jefferson. To this union two daughters were born, Pamela and Paula.
Evelyn was a member of the Lohrville United Methodist Church. She was a member of the UMW and made noodles for many years for the chicken noodle dinners and church bazaar.
She enjoyed being outside in the warm weather working in her gardens and fishing. Over the past several years, she raised all of her own vegetables and flowers that she planted and also shared her extra plants with others. She told many stories about going hunting with her father in the timber area where they lived. Evelyn enjoyed canning and would can or freeze the vegetables she raised not only for herself but also for her daughters, granddaughter and others. She also enjoyed going to Canada fishing with her family and cousins. They shared many good times together having a feast on the fresh caught fish for that day. Evelyn enjoyed making large trays of candy at Christmas time to send to work with her daughters. She also enjoyed making her great grandchildren their favorite desserts for their birthdays. Evelyn and her daughter enjoyed working together sewing special projects for the church’s UMCOR projects in the fall.
Those who proceeded her in death were her husband, Ruben; parents, Eldon and Isabelle Annear; brother, Alvin Annear; and sister and brother in law, Tom and Betty Mulvihill.
Left to morn her passing are her daughters, Pamela DeWald of Churdan and Paula Redmon of Jefferson; granddaughter, Heather (Mark) Addy of Boone; and four great grandchildren: Kalei Bock, Tegan Bock, Jaelyn Addy, and Rogan Addy. Also, her aunt, Ruth Gravitt of Coon Rapids; sister in law, Ruby Faller of Perry; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Brown Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.