Evelyn Virginia Welper

Evelyn V. Welper, 81, of Waukon, IA, died Thursday, October 20, 2016, at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, WI. Memorial services will be held Monday, October 24, 2016, at 11:00 AM at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon, with Rev. Lynn G. Groe officiating. Friends may call from 9:30 AM until time of services on Monday at the funeral home.

Evelyn Virginia Welper was born July 12, 1935, to James F. and Helen Marie (Kelly) McCormick in Harpers Ferry, IA. She graduated from Waukon High School in Waukon, IA. On May 1, 1954, Evelyn married Donald LaVern Welper at St. Pius Catholic Church at Cherry Mound in rural Harpers Ferry. In 1955 they moved to a farm near Churchtown, IA, where they did general farming. Don and Evelyn retired and moved to Waukon in 2003.

As a farm wife, Evelyn could plan and prepare a meal for two to ten people at a moment's notice. An excellent baker, she frequently invited people in for cookies, doughnuts, or some of the many treats she would make. While living on the farm Evelyn enjoyed her cats and dogs.  Evelyn and Don enjoyed fishing and spending time on their houseboat at the Mississippi River. In the wintertime they spent many hours on their snowmobiles. Evelyn was very involved with 4-H and supported her children with all their projects. She enjoyed making quilts for her family and her favorite times were spent with her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family.

Survivors include her special dog Bitzy; her children: Steve (Becky) of Waukon, Karen (Daryl) Beneke of New Albin, IA, Rick (Carol) of Lansing, IA, Bob (Dee) of Jefferson, WI, and  Ron (Debbie) of Shallowater, TX; 13 grandchildren: Aaron (Stephanie) Welper, Kimberly (Scott) Oder, Emily Welper, Dan (Rich Uyttebroek ) Beneke, Andy (Britney) Beneke, Katharina Proske (and family),  Mary (Josh) Boots, Morgan (Nathan) Kliebenstein, Cory, Matthew and Ashley Welper, Calvin and Collin Welper; eight great-grandchildren: Katie Welper, Maggie and McKinley Rostvold, Joseph Oder, Maya and Kason Beneke, Charlotte Boots and Evelyn and Edith Kliebenstein; a brother Charles (Lela) McCormick; and four sisters-in-law: Dorothy McCormick, Patty McMormick, Joanne Welper and Dorothy Welper; and special friend Pam Croyll. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Don, an infant son Joseph; a daughter Kathleen Welper; three great-grand-children: Fischer Beneke, Mathew & Olivia Welper; and four brothers:  James, John, Emmett and Eugene McCormick.