Evelyn Elwonger
November 5, 2015Share using:
Evelyn Elaine (Brown) Elwonger, 89, formerly of Cedar Rapids, IA, passed away at Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA, on November 5, 2015 due to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She was born on a farm in Richardson County Nebraska to Stacy and Myrtle (Henderson) Brown on March 28, 1926 and was the older of two daughters.
Evelyn grew up on the farm raising chickens with her sister, Dorothy. She was baptized and confirmed in the Congregational Church in Verdon, NE. She graduated as valedictorian from Dawson-Verdon High School in the class of 1944. Following graduation she worked at the Richardson County Bank.
On July 10, 1948 she married Byford Elwonger. To this union three children were born including; Karen Sue, Diane Kay and John Byford. She worked for Ford Motor Company as a bookkeeper and the Auburn State Bank. Later with Byford, she purchased the Palmer House Motel in Auburn, NE, where she enjoyed meeting and working with the people. They were later divorced.
After moving to Cedar Rapids in 1967, Evelyn became active in her children’s many activities. In 1975, she began working for Midwest Food Distributors for twelve years, and later for Armstrong’s Department Store for three years.
She was a member of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids where she was active in UMW, prayer chain, and made many visits and calls to those in need. Some of her fondest memories are traveling to the United Methodist Women Grand Assemblies with her church friends.
Evelyn was an avid collector of old things, especially dishes. She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, baking chocolate chip cookies for family and friends, and traveling, including a trip to South America in 1959 for the Junior Chamber of Commerce World Convention. She would walk three miles daily or more visiting with those in the neighborhood. She was a loving mother and was always willing to put others first.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Stacy and Myrtle Brown. She is survived by her children, Karen (John) Carns of Atlantic, IA, Diane (Dennis) Junge of Overland Park, KS, and John (Sharon) Elwonger of Summerfield, NC, five grandchildren and one great-grandson, sister, Dorothy (Hugh) Acton of Augusta, MI, a niece and two nephews, special friends, Fred, Julie, and Sue and many other friends and neighbors.
Her funeral will be held on Monday, November 9, 2015 at 11:00 AM at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home with Reverend John Hogue officiating. Interment will be in Verdon Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at Dorr and Clark Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers the family prefers memorials be made to St. Mark’s UMW at Cedar Rapids, IA or Salem Lutheran Home, Dementia Unit, Elk Horn, IA.