Evelyn Berends
August 22, 1922 ~ December 15, 2014
Evelyn Ruth (Guetzko) Berends, 92, died Monday December 15, 2014 at Hallmark Care Center in Mount Vernon. Services Friday, December 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mount Vernon. Visitation Thursday, December 18, 2014 from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Choices, Mount Vernon. Burial Lisbon Cemetery. Evelyn was born August 22, 1922 near Hopkinton, to Gus and Jennie (Kurth) Guetzko. She graduated from Delhi High School in 1939 and attended her 75th graduation reunion this summer. She married Lewis E. Berends on October 24, 1946. They farmed near Edgewood, Strawberry Point, and Manchester before moving to Mount Vernon in 1956. Evelyn worked at Collins Radio before her marriage and returned to Rockwell Collins when her children were in school. She was an active and founding member of St. Paul Lutheran Church until a stroke in 2009 limited her mobility. Evelyn was a loving wife and mother who lived her faith. She made friends with everyone and kept in contact through newsy letters. Survivors include her children: Judith Workman of Cedar Rapids, Robert of Greeley, Colorado, James (Joan) of Monticello, and Susan of North Liberty; grandchildren: Kenneth and Margaret (Brandon) Bierhaus; great grandchildren: Robert, Mackenzie, Madison, Ryah and Ryne. Also surviving are siblings: Don Guetzko of Delhi, Vida (Jerry) Engel of Marion and Betty McGee of Winter Haven, Florida and many nieces, nephews and their families. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Lewis, brother Louis Guetzko, son-in-law James Workman, and granddaughter Bethany Gibson Berends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mount Vernon. Thank you to the staff at Hallmark Care Center in Mount Vernon for taking wonderful care of her for the past five and a half years.
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Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of Evelyn Berends.
Let It Snow was purchased for the family of Evelyn Berends.
Sending my thoughts of sympathy to Evelyn’s family. I worked with Evelyn at the Dearborn Brass building when she retired from Rockwell. She was a super nice lady. Mary Pearson
Dear Guetzkos, I was sorry to read about Evelyn’s passing. I remember you all fondly. I know she is happy and at peace. God’s blessing to you all. Gertrude Schmidt
To the Berends ‘kids’; I have thought so many times of Evelyn and wished I could visit. I have not been in MV enough to accomplish much visiting at all. So please know she has been in my thoughts and prayers. She was a special lady to the Baker ‘kids’, as I think you know. All of our shared memories we talk about periodically, especially Bob & my adventures. ‘;Nuf said! So sorry you’ve lost your mother, but I know she is really happy with her ‘Louis’! Blessings to each of you! Thanks to all of you for being such great neighbors! Jane Baker Hardin
To Evelyn’s family: I regret that I cannot join you to honor Evelyn, but know that I am with you in thought and prayer. Evelyn and Lewis were wonderful neighbors. One of my memories was when Leah and Drew brought May baskets to your parents and Evelyn would always be ready with a beautiful hand made basket or lovely treat for them. I also enjoyed her so much in our Linn Ladies’ Study Club. She was warm, thoughtful, clever and kind. I will miss her so very much. Accept my condolences. Gladys Olsen
Evelyn was such a neat person and I rejoice that my husband and I were able to make her acquaintance when we were with Laborers for Christ, working on building ‘her’ church. After we returned to our home in Iowa City, I still looked forward to meeting her again at the LWML rallies in the spring and fall. She always had a smile and a kind word for each one she met. Carol and George Schuldt.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Surely Evelyn Berends was one of those blessings to many, many people, including myself and Marlyss. We will always remember her as “the lady with a smile on her face.” She was certainly a blessing to me when I was pastor at St. Paul, and she was a blessing to so many in the congregation. The greatest blessing she shared came from God – her faith. We thank God for her victory today through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rev. Burton & Marlyss Harger