Mary Jeanne Evans
COLUMBUS/MADISON—Mary Jeanne Westphal Evans age 85, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 25, 2013 at Oakwood East Rehabilitation in Madison, WI. She was born on October 8, 1927 in Hartford, WI to Elmer and Frieda (Riggs) Westphal and graduated from Boscobel High School. She was married to William Wallace Evans on April 19, 1947 in Fall River, WI. They spent 66 years of life together as husband and wife.
Jeanne attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, pursuing a career in nursing. When her children were in school, she attended the Beaver Dam School of Cosmetology. Jeanne became a licensed beautician where she worked for her mother at the Beauty Nook in Columbus. Since moving to Madison, Jeanne cared for her husband and amazed many at her abilities even without sight. Numerous fiends, nieces and nephews as well as her family will miss her persistence in remaining independent as her sight began to fail. She was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker. Green Lake, Wisconsin was her favorite place in the summer and Naples, Florida in the winter. Jeanne loved playing bridge until she could no longer see. She was a lifelong member of the Olivet Congregational United Church of Christ in Columbus, where she played the piano and directed the youth choir for many years.
Survivors include her loving husband, William “Bill” of Madison; one daughter, Gloria “Jo” Clark of Jefferson; two sons, Thomas William Evans of Newberry, MI and John Patrick Evans of Fairfield, CT; five grandchildren, Josh Evans of Columbus OH John Evans of Denver, Kristen Wiese of Sauk City, Jeff Evans of Tacoma WA, Jennifer Evans of Ixonia; three great grandchildren, Evan Bartz, Olivia and William Wiese; three daughters-in-law, Sandy Evans of Sauk City, Ruth Evans Zook of Worthington, OH and Terri Evans of Fairfield, CT; very special friends, John and Pat Wildner of Portage; other relatives. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jon Westphal; step-father, Jim Nanscawen and beloved son, Michael John.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at the OLIVET CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, Columbus, with visitation beginning at 9:30 A.M.. Rev. Lee Zortman will officiate. Inurnment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Columbus.
A very heartfelt thank you to Dr. Sam Poser for his care of Jeanne, to Oakwood East Rehab Unit for keeping her so comfortable, and to Agrace HospiceCare for their comfort and support of Jeanne and her family. Also the family wishes to thank Pastor Lee Zortman and Rev Byron Bunge, Oakwood Village chaplain, for their spiritual support of Jeanne and her family. Memorials may be made to Agrace HospiceCare, Madison, or the Olivet UCC operating fund.
