Memorial
Evelyne Barger, widow of Kenneth Barger, died April 8th. Visitation; Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, 3:00 to 5:00 PM Sunday, April 14th. Memorial Service; St. Pius X Church, Monday, April 15th, greet family 10:00 to 11:00 AM with Mass beginning at 11:00.
Evelyne Lucille Lane was born September 11, 1932, in South English, Iowa. She and Kenneth Barger were married in 1948, until his death in 2007. Also preceding her in death were her parents Margaret and Ernest Lane, sister Jeannette Luerkens, and brother Richard Lane. Evelyne, also known as Mom, Mumsley, Grammy, Aunt Lynne and The Evelyne by her son-in-law Nelson, is survived by adult kids and (grandkids) Mary and Ray Cortez (Monique Derflinger, Jodelle Franklin, Barb Close, Crystal Thompson, Mike Cortez, Joe Cortez, the late Justine Cortez); Kendalyn Wazac (Beth Regan, Michael Wazac, James Wazac, Joel Wazac, Rob Wazac); Gordon Barger and the late Peggy Barger (Travis Barger, Jonah Barger, Molly Barger, Mandy Barger); Kevin and Deb Barger (Allison Barger, Jesse Grade, Andrea Doerrfeld); Mark and Lydia Barger (Emily Barger, Jared Barger); Sara Barger (Alan Barger, Blaine Hiemstra); Amy and Nelson Laine (Will Peacock, Jennifer Oakley, Annalia Swigert, Morgan Laine, Nelson Laine Jr.), as well as many many many great-grandkids!!
Grammy will be especially remembered in the family for her birthday dollar bills, chocolate cinnamon rolls, sewing projects, road rage, egg rolls and the best potato salad ever!
In her lifetime, Evelyne worked at a variety of jobs – elevator operator (where she met Kenneth, the mail carrier), food server, cocktail waitress, tailor and most of all, wife, mother and grandmother. With seven kids, while gardening, cooking, canning, cleaning, and doing endless laundry (which also included ironing in her swimsuit on the deck to get a tan), Evelyne found time to be a campfire leader and coach girls’ softball. Her circle of friends grew ever larger with time, and she eventually claimed herself the “Luckiest Old Broad.” She particularly enjoyed games of bridge, cribbage, singing with church choirs (especially conquering the alto part of “Hallelujah Chorus”), sewing for family and friends and in general, making people happy.
The family wishes to thank Mercy Hospice for their nurses, aides and volunteers helping make Evelyne’s last months as peaceful and painless as possible. We also owe Sara a huge debt of gratitude for her generous and loving 24/7 attendance.
In Evelyne’s memory, we dedicate this 2021 birthday poem, written by Kendy and titled by Beth:
Who Knew in 32
The story of my mother is written in her life,
how she was a parent, how she was a wife.
She passed it down to me, I passed it down again.
As long as she's remembered, her story never ends.