Evelyn A. Weigelt, 88

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Evelyn Ada Weigelt was born to William and Elsie (Lang) Archer on Aug. 11, 1932, in Hastings. She entered a family with seven brothers and sisters, which later grew to a total of 15 siblings. She grew up on a farm learning the value of hard work and sharing with others-it was hard not to with that many brothers and sisters!

In 1953, Evelyn moved to Council Bluffs and stayed with a childhood friend, Elaine Stephens, and began her journey in the nursing occupation as a nurse’s aide at Mercy Hospital. It is through Elaine’s husband Jim, that Evelyn began corresponding with, and met, her future husband of over 65 years. On June 20, 1954, Evelyn married Marcus Weigelt of Round Top, Texas at the South Side Christian Church in Council Bluffs. From this union, four children were born: David, Dale, Lynette, and Nathan.

Marcus and Evelyn purchased a farm south of Magnolia in June 1958. In 1966, Evelyn went to work as a nurse’s aide at the Community Memorial Hospital in Missouri Valley. In February of 1969, Evelyn began nurses training and graduated as a Licensed Practicing Nurse (LPN). Over the next 20 plus years while working at Community Memorial Hospital, Evelyn worked as a Staff Nurse, Physical Therapy Assistant, Post Anesthesia Room Nurse and Pharmacy Assistant. After retiring as a nurse, Evelyn continued to serve other individuals and families for several years by providing in-home nursing care.

Evelyn loved being a nurse! It embodied so much of who she was and just one example of how she showed her love and care through acts of service. Whether it was a family reunion, church event, birthday celebration, or some other gathering, the first thing you would hear her say was, “What can I bring?” She enjoyed crafting quilts for her grandchildren for special occasions in their lives. She would spend months carefully stitching patches of love, care, and prayer into a “graduation” or “wedding” quilt.  Although quiet and reserved when first meeting people, she cared deeply and soon opened up. All family and friends were warmly welcomed into her home. She enjoyed meeting up with her siblings and in-laws to catch up on the latest family news. An avid “canner”, she involved her children in the process of raising, picking, cleaning, and preparing garden vegetables to can. She was well known for her wild raspberry jams and jellies. She also supported her kids throughout their many 4-H projects and school events. Like many wives and mothers who live on a farm she juggled the many tasks of life; from working at the hospital, weeding a section in the garden, caring for a loved one, or making a tray of cookies for church, she enjoyed filling her days with activities that helped others.

Evelyn was most at home in the kitchen preparing home-cooked meals and baked goods. Her coveted pie-crust recipe lives on in many recipe books and boxes. Family was everything to her. She thoroughly enjoyed visits around the kitchen table laughing and teasing with her large family and close friends. She loved a good gab-fest and many heart-felt conversations were shared in her kitchen. With her servant’s heart, she will be warmly welcomed into Heaven by her LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Evelyn died on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, at Longview Nursing Home in Missouri Valley, Iowa at the age of 88 years, four months and 27 days. 

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Marcus in September of 2019, beloved son, Herman “Dale” Weigelt in 1993 and 10 siblings. Left to cherish her memory are three children and their spouses, David Weigelt and his wife Janette of Magnolia, and their family, Lynette and her husband James Westbrook of  Dallas, Texas and their family and Nathan Weigelt and his wife Denise of Aurora, Colo. and their family; three sisters, Ocle, Fay, Wanda; two brothers, Kenneth and Dean; and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service was held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Logan on Friday, Jan. 15, 2021. Rev. Daniel Steeb presided over the service. The recorded musical selections were “Amazing Grace”, “How Great Thou Art” and “The Old Rugged Cross”. The honorary pallbearers were Evelyn’s grandchildren. Evelyn’s final resting place is at the Magnolia Cemetery.

Fouts Funeral Home in Woodbine was in charge of arrangements. www.foutsfuneralhome.com