Benedict, Evelyn L. Allen

Evelyn L. Allen Benedict, 77, of Kalona, died Wednesday, April 25, 2012, at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids following an extended illness. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 1, at the Oxford United Methodist Church with burial to follow at the Harrington Cemetery, York Township of Iowa County. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Gay and Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City.

In lieu of flowers or plants, a memorial fund has been established in Evelyn's memory.

Online condolences can be shared with her family on the website of the funeral home at .

Evelyn LaRene Smith was born June 20, 1934, in rural Iowa County, Iowa, the daughter of Emmett and Bertina (Hummer) Smith. She attended the Amana School and received her GED from Kirkwood Community College. She was united in marriage to Warren Leo Allen on Jan. 31, 1951, in Oxford, Iowa. Evelyn, or as many knew her “Tootie,” worked for the former NCS for almost 25 years, retired from the University of Iowa Hospitals. She also got her CDL license and drove over the road trucking with Warren along with receiving her Real Estate License and selling real estate with Dick Davin Realtors and Oldfield Real Estate in Kalona.

Warren died in May 1993. She met and later married Pierson J. “Tinker” Benedict on April 15, 2000, in Oxford. After they married the couple, Tootie and Tinker, moved out to the Seattle, Wash., area to live near their Washington State family, and back to this area in 2006, where they resided in Kalona. Evelyn was not one to sit still, and there wasn't much that slowed her down. She struggled with Lupus Disease since 1986, but she kept on going. She would be the first to share with you anything and everything about her family, she loved them dearly as they did her. She enjoyed family gatherings, holidays, trips or even just the simple stop at the Dairy Queen with her grandchildren. She loved her casino visits with the highlight being her trip to Las Vegas with both the Iowa children and the Washington children. She really did enjoy the simple things in life. Evelyn's take on life, “always eat your dessert before your meal” and don't wrestle in the house!”

Her family which meant the world to her includes her husband, Pierson “Tinker” Benedict; their Iowa children, Ray and Wanda Allen of West Liberty, Gene and Christi Allen of Iowa City, and Diana and Steve Haman of Kalona; daughter-in-law, Patty Allen of Iowa City; 12 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; their Washington State children; Mickey Edwards, Billie Jean and Roger Jundt, Laurie and Kevin Johnson, Michael Benedict and Marty and Nan Benedict; 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; her brother, Vernon Smith of Solon; sisters-in-law, Lucille Stockman of Oxford and Lois Mae Johnson of Iowa City; Margo Nordgren of Seattle, Wash.; brother-in-law, Elmer Smyth of Solon; and many very special nieces, nephews and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Allen; son, Richard Allen; grandson, Joel Allen; and sister, Helen Smyth.

Her faith in God and love of family will forever be cherished.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Evelyn's family and her services.

Published in The Gazette April 28, 2012.