Evelyn Arenz Evensen, age 97, formerly of Wheaton, was born on April 11, 1916,
on a farm 2 1/2 miles south of St. Joseph, Michigan. She went to be with the Lord on June 21, 2013.

There were eight siblings: four brothers and three sisters, all deceased. Evelyn had a very happy, carefree childhood, and many joyous times frolicking in their spacious lawn surrounding their stuccoed farm house.

When she was ten years old, the family moved to Cicero, IL, a suburb of Chicago. They attended Austin Swedish Baptist Church, where, through music and sports, her brothers met Arne Evensen from Oak Park. This resulted in a four-year courtship. Evelyn and Arne were married on November 26, 1936, at the Austin Church. Arne predeceased her in 2004.

She leaves behind three daughters: Carole Runninger (John), Debbie Lorenz (Don) and Vonny Albert (Keith), and 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Evelyn was gifted with a love for music. At one time she had 30 piano students at her home in Wheaton. She served as organist in several churches, including Wheaton Evangelical Free Church for 15 years, and at Hultgren Funeral Home.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St. in Wheaton. Friends may visit with the family from 10 until 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to American Diabetes Association or the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.