Evelyn Edwards of Brookings, passed away at the Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls on Thursday, Jan. 24.
Funeral services will be held Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at First Lutheran Church in Brookings. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 pm Thursday, January 31st at Rude’s Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Brookings High School scholarship fund on behalf of Evelyn Edwards. Donations can be sent to the Brookings School District at 2130 Eighth Street South, Brookings, SD 57006.
Evelyn was born on October 23, 1934 near Colton, to Isaac and Gertrude Van Liere. She and her three brothers – Don, Ray and Merle – grew up in Colton, where her father farmed and owned Van’s Implement. In her younger years, Evelyn was active in FHA and enjoyed spending time with her family on the farm and fishing in Canada. In 1952, she graduated from Colton High School, where she met her future husband James O. Edwards. Evelyn attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and later joined Jim at South Dakota State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Science and a Master’s of Education
Jim and Evelyn were married on Aug. 26, 1955, in Colton. The couple then moved to Heidelberg, Germany, where Jim served as a Lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers. While in Germany, their first daughter, Edie was born. Shortly after returning to Brookings in 1958, their son Jim was born.
Evelyn was a teacher for 25 years at the Brookings High School, where she taught economics and sociology at Brookings High School.
Aside from teaching, Evelyn and Jim enjoyed spending time with their friends golfing, playing bridge and spending time at their lake cabin. Evelyn loved spending time outdoors and was an avid gardener. Upon their retirement, they spent their winters in Fountain Hills, Arizona.
Evelyn is survived by her children Edie (Glenn) Ramstad of Ada, MN, Jim (Rita) Edwards of Madison, SD and Amy (Steve) Kurtenbach of Darnestown, MD; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren; as well as brothers Ray (Marilyn) Van Liere and Merle (Bette) Van Liere and their families.
She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents and brother Don Van Liere.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com
