Evelyn M. Minear

Evelyn M. Minear, 79, of McPherson, Kansas, passed away at 5:00 a.m., Friday, February 6, 2009 while in the company of family members at the Cedars Health Care Center in McPherson, Kansas Evelyn was born on December 17, 1929 to Abe and Sarah Ediger at Meade, Ks..Evelyn was the only girl to grow up with 5 boys in her family. Her brothers, Ted, Sam, Leonard, Wilbur, Edwin and a sister, Lenora that died in infancy were like most families at that time. They struggled during the dust bowl and the Great Depression moving from Meade, Ks to Groveland where they were close to family and friends. Evelyn attended grade school in Groveland, Ks. As many other teen agers in the early 1940’s, Evelyn went to work to help her family while her older brothers served their country. It was after the war when a handsome young Navy man in uniform caught her eye. Gene Minear and Evelyn Ediger dated and were soon engaged to be married. Gene and Evelyn exchanged wedding vows on November 28, 1948. They made their home in Canton before settling in McPherson to start their family.Gene and Evelyn were blessed with four children. Connie, Don, Jan, and Brad.Evelyn was a loving wife and a wonderful mother. Evelyn became an active member of the First Baptist Church serving her Lord and Savior in many capacities over the years. She volunteered for vacation Bible school director, wedding coordinator, Sunday school teacher positions, and was an active member of the Y.E.S. Sunday school class. Evelyn was determined to provide her children with the assurance of knowing Jesus Christ as they grew into adulthood. She not only provided them with a church home but also demonstrated God’s love to them through her loving heart and calm spirit.Evelyn had a few jobs outside the home over the years but always enjoyed her job as wife, mother and homemaker. She was a caring, dependable friend to many. She was a care-giver and a provider for the elderly, always lending a helping hand when needed.Evelyn thoroughly enjoyed being a grandma and would be available at any time to provide whatever was requested by her seven grand-children. She enjoyed cooking holiday meals for the whole family. Grandma Evelyn made her famous chocolate chip cookies available at all times. She packed picnic lunches to take to the ‘duck park’. She attended as many ball games, programs and award banquets for her grand-kids as possible. She always had a big smile and a hug ready with each visit. Grandma’s patio was a favorite gathering spot. Her family enjoyed cake and homemade ice cream as a special treat during the summer months. As the grand-kids grew up, Grandma Evelyn made each of them a quilt. She would spend many hours putting stitches in the desired patterns for Amy, Andi, Matthew, Kelly, Hayley, Ryan and Cale. Although her dementia had already stolen part of her away, she was thrilled to be able to hold and cuddle her first great-grandson, Jett Pierce. The love and tenderness was still seen in her eyes when she held him close. Grandma Evelyn will be remembered for her encouraging words, her bright smile, and the many, many warm hugs she gave so freely.On Friday, February 6, 2006, Evelyn died and entered into her eternal reward at the Cedars Health Care Center in McPherson, Kansas. She had attained the age of seventy-nine years.Surviving members of her family include her husband, Gene of McPherson, Kansas; two daughter, Connie Misemer and her husband, Rick of Olathe, Kansas, and Jan Crouse and her husband, Gary, of Galva, Kansas; one son, Brad Minear and his wife, Dawn of Andover, Kansas; one brother, Wilbur Ediger and his wife, Pearl of McPherson, Kansas; seven grandchildren; one great grandson; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, a son, Don, four brothers, Ted, Sam, Leonard, and Edwin Ediger, and one sister, Lenora.Pastor Les Cantrell will conduct the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2009, at the First Baptist church in McPherson, Kansas. Marge Arnold will sing 'How Great Thou Art' and “In the Garden” The congregation will join in to sing the chorus of “In the Garden”( Hymn No. 267). Anita Muhs will be the accompanist.The final resting place will be the Canton Township Cemetery, rural Canton, Kansas.Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Baptist Church.CASKET BEARERSGary Crouse Rick Misemer Matthew MisemerMatt Nelson Mike Pierce Ryan Minear Cale MinearUSHERSEldon Smith Virgil Ediger