1918
Evelyn
2011
Evelyn Lavelle
April 8, 1918 — February 14, 2011
Evelyn Margaret (Johnson) LaVelle, 92, of Eldora, Iowa died on Monday, February 14, 2011 at Valley View Nursing and Rehab Center in Eldora. Following private family burial at Eastlawn memory gardens in Eldora, a memorial service will be held at 11:00 Thursday, February 17th at the Eldora United Methodist Church with Pastors James Key and Jerry Kramer officiating. Visitation is from 5-7 pm on Wednesday, February 16th at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora. To send messages of condolence or to view the complete obituary, please visit www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.
Evelyn was born April 8, 1918 to Clarence Roy "C.R." Johnson and Emma (Houghton) Johnson in New Providence, Iowa. She attended the public schools there and graduated as valedictorian of her class of 1935. Because of her gifts the County Superintendent of Schools worked to get her a scholarship to Ellsworth Junior College where she attained her teaching certificate. She taught in a country school in Hardin County in 1936-37.
On May 31, 1937 she married her high school sweetheart Donald E. LaVelle at her parents' home in New Providence. Don and Evelyn lived in Eldora for the rest of their lives. Three sons were born to this union: Larry (1938), Doug (1947) and Jay (1953).
Don was employed by Hunt Oil Company until 1954 when he purchased the company and renamed it LaVelle Oil Company. Evelyn was a homemaker and the company's bookkeeper until Don's death in 1974. She and her son Jay then ran the business for nearly 20 years.
Evelyn was active in the Eldora United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, Mothers' Club, PEO, arts and craft organizations, various social groups and bridge clubs, and anything and everything that supported her husband and family. After Don's death she enjoyed painting with oils and watercolors making special gifts for her family members. She was able to take several major trips including a Holy Land Tour with the Iowa-born author Marjorie Holmes and sightseeing in Europe with her son Doug. She was an avid reader, crossword puzzler, and news junkie until her eyes failed due to macular degeneration.
Evelyn celebrated her 90th birthday with her entire family present. During these last years she has received excellent care from Greenbelt Home Care and at Valley View Care Center in Eldora. The family wishes to especially thank all the staff and caregivers who have attended Evelyn as well as Drs. Saggau and Koenig, Dr. Teresa Brown and the doctors and nurses at McFarland Clinic and Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames.
Evelyn is survived by her sons, Doug (Sherry) of Elmira, Oregon, and Jay (Robin) of Eldora; daughter-in-law, Ginny; grandchildren Kristy, Kim, Matt, Sarah, Nick and Lucas; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Donald; her son, Larry; her parents; her brother, Dale; and sisters, Eileen Rogers and Bernice Yarwood.
Evelyn was born April 8, 1918 to Clarence Roy "C.R." Johnson and Emma (Houghton) Johnson in New Providence, Iowa. She attended the public schools there and graduated as valedictorian of her class of 1935. Because of her gifts the County Superintendent of Schools worked to get her a scholarship to Ellsworth Junior College where she attained her teaching certificate. She taught in a country school in Hardin County in 1936-37.
On May 31, 1937 she married her high school sweetheart Donald E. LaVelle at her parents' home in New Providence. Don and Evelyn lived in Eldora for the rest of their lives. Three sons were born to this union: Larry (1938), Doug (1947) and Jay (1953).
Don was employed by Hunt Oil Company until 1954 when he purchased the company and renamed it LaVelle Oil Company. Evelyn was a homemaker and the company's bookkeeper until Don's death in 1974. She and her son Jay then ran the business for nearly 20 years.
Evelyn was active in the Eldora United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women, Mothers' Club, PEO, arts and craft organizations, various social groups and bridge clubs, and anything and everything that supported her husband and family. After Don's death she enjoyed painting with oils and watercolors making special gifts for her family members. She was able to take several major trips including a Holy Land Tour with the Iowa-born author Marjorie Holmes and sightseeing in Europe with her son Doug. She was an avid reader, crossword puzzler, and news junkie until her eyes failed due to macular degeneration.
Evelyn celebrated her 90th birthday with her entire family present. During these last years she has received excellent care from Greenbelt Home Care and at Valley View Care Center in Eldora. The family wishes to especially thank all the staff and caregivers who have attended Evelyn as well as Drs. Saggau and Koenig, Dr. Teresa Brown and the doctors and nurses at McFarland Clinic and Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames.
Evelyn is survived by her sons, Doug (Sherry) of Elmira, Oregon, and Jay (Robin) of Eldora; daughter-in-law, Ginny; grandchildren Kristy, Kim, Matt, Sarah, Nick and Lucas; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Donald; her son, Larry; her parents; her brother, Dale; and sisters, Eileen Rogers and Bernice Yarwood.
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