Garner, Evelyn Mae

Evelyn Mae Garner, 87, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2011, at Keystone Cedars, Cedar Rapids, following a long illness. There will be no local services. Graveside services will be conducted at Mendon Cemetery, Mendon, Mo., at a later date. Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

Evelyn is survived by three daughters, Terrill Lynn (Mark) Kochenderfer of Elgin, Ariz., Gail (David) Stork of Robins and Leesa (Mike) Augustine of Rose Hill, Iowa; one son, Todd (Carrie) Garner of Des Moines; eight grandchildren, Nick Kochenderfer, Kate Kochenderfer-Bruning, Brad Stork, Kelly Stork, Caitlin and Hannah Augustine, Grayson and Mason Garner; six great-grandchildren, Tristan Kochenderfer, Ava, Nina and Cooper Stork, Bryce and Emmalyn Bruning; and sister-in-law, Nena Schlitter.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin; son, Jon Mark; her parents; two brothers, Myron and Russell; and one sister, Katherine.

Evelyn was born to Nicholas and Christina Schlitter on Aug. 18, 1924, in Benton Harbor, Mich. She grew up in Chicago, where she met her husband at a serviceman club during the World War II. They were married in Biloxi, Miss. on Sept. 16, 1944. As Marvin's career took the family to Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Iowa and back to Missouri, Evelyn established homes for her family and made good friends wherever they lived.

She will be remembered by her family for loving, caring strength. She was the cornerstone of the family and although a quiet individual, was her family's greatest cheerleader.

The family would like to thank St. Luke's Hospice and especially the staff and residents of Keystone Cedars where she resided for the last seven years.

In lieu of flowers or memorials, the family asks that friends and family either take their dog for a walk or have a hot fudge sundae in Evelyn's memory since those were the two things she enjoyed.

Online condolences may be left at  under “obituaries.”