Shirley Ardelle Evans

Shirley Ardelle Evans…

was born on January 30, 1930 to Samuel Franklin and Eva Mae (Brown) Gist in Marshall, Minnesota. When she was two months old, the family moved to Pipestone, Minnesota where she had spent her entire life. She attended Pipestone Public School and graduated with the class of 47. During her junior and senior years, she worked for the Fred Smith family, housecleaning and babysitting and at Pipestone Bakery and Restaurant, as a dishwasher. After graduation, she worked there again as a waitress. In November, 1947, she started working at the Montgomery Ward Store as the manager of the Toy Department. After Christmas, she was transferred to the Ward Farm Store where she was the parts clerk, salesperson and did the inventory books. On Tuesday, November 7, 1950 (Election Day), she married Vincent Evans at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. After their marriage, they moved in with his father on a farm, one mile north of Ihlen, Minnesota. His father retired in April, 1951, and Vincent and Shirley remained there and she continued to work at Ward Farm Store until May 1, 1951 when she became a full time farm wife. They had spent their entire married life of 53 years on this farm, buying it in June of 1961. Five children were born and raised on this farm. Vincent and Shirley celebrated their 50th Anniversary which was on Election Day, November 7, 2000. On January 26, 2004, he preceded her in death. After his death, she remained on the farm. On February 15, 2015, she became a resident of Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. On September 27, 2019, she entered the Pipestone County Hospice House where she died on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at the age of 89 years, eight months and four days.

Shirley was a member of the Evangelical United Brethren Church. She was baptized and confirmed as a child. She was the Sunday school treasurer for a couple of years. On November 4, 1950, she joined the Catholic church and was confirmed. Shirley’s hobbies were her family and sewing for her little girls, prom, snowball queen and bridesmaids dresses. She carried her camera and video camera most everywhere she went, taking many pictures. She taught religion classes for 20 years, receiving a “Bishops Medal” for her achievement. She belonged to the Eden Handy Hannah Extension Club for 35 years, which later became the Friendship Breakfast Heritage Club. She also enjoyed many trips with Vincent. She joined the Eden Senior Citizens Club in Ihlen where she played cards on Mondays. She joined the Senior Organ Club, which she enjoyed very much. Every Saturday morning, she went out for breakfast with classmates. After Vincent died, she started taking trips with a classmate, Dolores Pedersen, to Chicago, Branson, Alaska, Carolinas, Panama, Caribbean Islands, New England, Hawaii, Niagara Falls, and more. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren, who liked spending lots of time on the farm.

She is survived by her daughters, Gail (Al) Deelstra of Flandreau, South Dakota and Julie (Roger) Theuninck of Mora, Minnesota; sons, Gary (Judy) Evans and Tony (Vicki) Evans, both of Pipestone; son-in-law, Mike (Mary) McLaughlin of Luverne, Minnesota; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Doris (Dick) Semple of Sioux City, Iowa and Betty (Don) McMahon of Flandreau; brother, Richard (Norma) Gist of Princeton, Minnesota; sister-in-law, Esther Evans of New London, Minnesota; step siblings; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter, Joan McLaughlin; a premature baby, June Lucille, one son-in-law, Les Meyer; her parents; her step-mothers, Luella Brown Gist and Regina Dahl Gist; one brother, Kenneth (Margaret) Gist; step-sister, Phyllis (Urban) Lanners; brothers-in-law, Virgil Brown and Bernard Veldhuizen; Vincent’s parents, brothers and sisters, and their spouses.