Evelyn Gilson

Evelyn M. Gilson, 89, of Waukon, IA, died Monday, March 31, 2014, at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 4th, at 11:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Waukon. Friends may call from 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Thursday at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon.

Evelyn Marcella Gilson was born May 13, 1924, on her parents' farm in rural Waukon, IA, the daughter of Charles and Lydia (Saewart) Johnson. She was baptized at the Congregational Church in Churchtown, IA, and attended Lycurgus rural schools. She was later confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Waukon. On September 25, 1943, Evelyn married John Preston Gilson at the Lutheran Parsonage in Decorah, IA. For 17 years, she was a clerk at the Little Dime variety store in Waukon, and also worked for three years at the Coast to Coast hardware store. For 40 years, Evelyn was an Avon representative; she was a wonderful salesperson and was a member of the Avon President's Club. She was a busy wife and mother, who was a fastidious housekeeper and a great decorator, especially for holidays, and had a great work ethic. Evelyn worked in the garden and did canning; she was a great cook, making wonderful meals and baked goods.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and the Ladies Circle. She enjoyed stitchery, including embroidery and latch hooking. She loved flowers, going fishing, and shopping. Evelyn loved to read anything that was available and working word searches. She will be remembered as a nice, sweet lady who never had anything bad to say about anybody.

Evelyn is survived by her four children: Diane (Donald) Nelson of Rochester, MN, Peggy (Dennis) Dixon of Warroad, MN, Michelle Gilson of Decorah, and Ronald (Dixie) Gilson of Cedar Rapids, IA; ten grandchildren: Jeffrey and Erik Nelson, Ronald Gilson, Jr., Sheryl Gilson, Andrew Dixon, Elisha Rudolph, Matthew Doda, Megan Griffin, Abby Theisen, and Alexis McKenna; four step-grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband John in 1996; and five sisters: Lillian Gilberston, Catherine Hanson, Mildred Storla, Gladys Larson, and Lorine Halverson.

A special thanks and appreciation to the staffs at Good Samaritan Center and Veterans Memorial Hospital for the wonderful care given to our mom.

Casketbearers are Ronald Gilson, Jr., Andrew Dixon, Jeffrey Nelson, Erik Nelson, Matt Doda, and CJ Gilson.