Evelyn M. Dykhouse-Halverson

Evelyn M. Dykhouse-Halverson, age 88 of Rock Rapids, IA died Monday, October 04, 2010 at the Lyon Manor Nursing & Rehab Center in Rock Rapids, IA Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 8, 2010 at the Peace Lutheran Church in Rock Rapids, with Reverend Mark Hansen officiating. Burial will follow in the Riverview Cemetery in Rock Rapids. Visitation will be Thursday, October 7, 2010 from 2-8 with the family present from 6-8 at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Rock Rapids. Evelyn Mae Wilken was born to Hans and Tillie (Vogel) Wilken on their farm Northeast of Rock Rapids on March 13, 1922. She attended Garland Country School until 8th grade and graduated from Rock Rapids High School in 1940. While waiting for her fianc Emerson Dykhouse to return from World War II, she was employed in Rock Rapids specializing in office skills until he returned in 1946 and they married that year on June 21st at the Peace Lutheran Church. The couple enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping often taking their nephews Daryl and Steve Wilken on the many excursions. Evelyn became a stay-at-home Mom when the Dykhouse children arrived in the late fifties. Evelyn loved horses and began riding at three years old. She shared her love of horses with Emerson and her children and the entire family spent many happy years visiting the Pettengill farm raising horses and spending weekends at area horse shows. Evelyn was well known for her garden as she graced the family table with fresh vegetables every summer, and canned in abundance the remains for the long winters. She competed every year at the Lyon County Fair entering flowers, vegetables, and arranged centerpieces, often winning Best of Show. She happily shared flowers with the entire community making one-of-a kind arrangements to brighten friends and families special occasions. She celebrated her baptism, confirmation, and weddings all at Peace Lutheran Church as a lifetime member. She was active teaching Sunday school, was a charter member and the first president of Daughters of Peace, provided casseroles and baked goods for countless Vacation Bible Schools, funerals, and church functions. She attended weekly Bible Studies and devoted over fifty years to supplying flowers for the Altar. She authored and published a history of Peace Lutheran Church to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the church and submitted many recipes to the church cookbook. Evelyn spent many hours in the church basement with other talented ladies producing quilts which as a mission outreach needy families are given. Evelyn was very active in her community as a member of the Junior Womens Club during World War II, Iowa Civil Air Patrol, VFW Auxiliary and American Legion Auxiliary, and joined the Lyon County Fair Board in 1989. She donated her time to her childrens many activities in Scouts, 4-H, athletics, and varied clubs and organizations. Emerson and Evelyn initiated the Lyon County 4-H horse project with two horses and three members. Twelve years later the program grew to 135 horses with 80 members and a new outdoor area and horse barn. The couple also spent many fun-filled evenings in card clubs and square dancing. Evelyn also enjoyed sewing for her daughter Dalyce and remained active bowling for fifty-one years. When she retired in 1983, she devoted her time to the Lyon County Historical Society as a board member and held several offices. She served as curator for many years. She co-wrote and published the Historical Society Newsletter, doing interviews and writing memoirs, of her experience of farm life during the depression and years to follow. She included her poetry in each edition and her son Dana surprised her on her 86th birthday by publishing Seasons to Remember a compilation of some of Evelyns poems written throughout her lifetime. Her husband Emerson joined our Lord in 1989 and Evelyn married the second love of her life Bendix Halverson in 1992. They enjoyed their golden years sharing their lives with both sides of their friends and families living part-time in both Rock Rapids and Sioux Rapids Iowa. Evelyn enjoyed her grandchildren Dan and Alanas high school and college sports events and earned the honor of being Team Grandma . She knew every players name and cheered them on to many victories. Dans senior year of college football Evelyn proudly attended all home and away games traveling to many states across the county. Evelyn is survived by her sister-in-law Dorothy Dykhouse of Rock Rapids, IA ,brother-in-law, Bob Horsfall of Storm Lake, IA, son Dana Dykhouse and wife LaDawn o f Sioux Falls, SD, daughter Dalyce and husband Michael Sellers of Bozeman, MT, her grandchildren Dan Dykhouse and his wife Kristina of Sioux Falls, SD , and Alana Dykhouse of Spearfish, SD. She is also survived by the family of her second husband, Bendix Halverson which family members include daughter Faith and Gabe Blaskovich, son Lee and Ginney Halverson, daughter Karen and Greg Moehl, and son Boyd and Norma Halverson. The grandchildren include Natalia (Blaskovich) and Bob Richter, Melissa (Halverson) Fowlkes, Ginger (Halverson) and Scott Lynn. Great grandchildren include Chloe and Emilee Fowlkes and Sadie and Francesca Richter. Evelyn is preceded in death by her sisters Donna Wilken (Horsfall), Jo Wilken (Norris), Mary Lou Wilken (Vellinga), her brothers Lorenz Wilken (who died in infancy), and Vernon Wilken, her first husband Emerson Dykhouse, and her second husband Bendix Halverson. Memorial may be directed to Lyon County Historical Society or Peace Lutheran Church of Rock Rapids.