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Evelyn Oaks
EVELYN G. OAKS
Iowa City
Funeral services for Evelyn G. Oaks, 95, a lifelong resident of Iowa City, will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, at Gay & Ciha Funeral Service in Iowa City. Following the service, burial will in Oakland Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at the funeral home. Evelyn (Evy) passed away Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Lantern Park Nursing & Rehab Center in Coralville.
Evelyn was born Sept. 20, 1921, in Johnson County, Iowa, the eldest daughter of Edward and Marie Fuhrmeister. She was united in marriage to Luther James Oaks on Sept. 10, 1939, in St. Charles, Mo. He preceded her in death on Oct. 13, 1971.
Evelyn graduated from University High School in Iowa City in 1938 and attended Irish's Business College in Iowa City. She worked as a secretary at Sidwell Dairy and Ice Cream Co. from 1939 to 1941. She also had worked as a secretary for Maher Brothers Transfer and Storage Co. Along with being a homemaker, she ran an in-home day care for over 20 years and was honored with a "Worlds' Greatest Babysitter" plaque when she closed her business. Then, she was a secretary for the University of Iowa, Registrars' Office, until she retired.
After retiring Evelyn spent time volunteering at the senior center as well as reading and writing letters to elementary school children. Evelyn enjoyed family, friends and good food. Her hobbies included gardening, playing bridge, reading, traveling and watching Iowa sports as well as the Chicago Cubs. Her many travels included trips to the northeast to "whale watch," a Caribbean cruise, the Ozarks, Washington, D.C., California and Florida to visit family. She also enjoyed writing about her childhood memories as a way of preserving the past for her family.
Evelyn is survived by children, Jim Oaks (Lois) of West Branch, Larry Oaks (Lyn) of Florida, Bob Oaks (Suzanne) of Missouri, David Oaks (Lorie Suter) of Iowa City, Diane Winter (Randy) of Florida and Steve Oaks of Iowa City; sister, Irene Roberts (George) of Michigan; nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; son, John Oaks; sisters, Viola Kanewske and Dorothy Dlouhy; and granddaughter, Kristine.
Online condolences may be shared with Evelyn's family at www.gayandciha.com.
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