Reisser, Evangeline B. Burian

Evangeline B. Burian Reisser, formerly of Sun City, Ariz., and Vinton, Iowa, died Monday, May 30, 2011, at Vonderlieth Living Center in Mount Pulaski, Ill., where she had been receiving health care for several months. Mrs. Reisser donated her body to science research. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Angie was born Jan. 14, 1926, in Hopkins, Minn., the daughter of the Rev. Ludvik Burian and his wife, Emily Kucera Burian. She was married to Thomas A. Reisser on Feb. 14, 1948. in Ely, Iowa; he died in August 2003. Mrs. Reisser was a 1944 graduate of Ely High School and a 1948 graduate of St. Luke's Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, earning her RN degree. She worked at Virginia Gay Hospital, Vinton, part-time for several years, then for Drs. Fry, Powers and Reitzel for 15 years. Mrs. Reisser also helped her husband with farming operations and their extensive gardens.

Through many years of community service, Mrs. Reisser served on the Benton County Extension Council, and as a longtime 4-H leader. She also was a member of Eastern Star, Harrison School Club and Harmony Community Club. She served as volunteer nurse at blood drives, the Benton County Fair, school athletic exams and worked with the county T.B. eradication program for three years. Mrs. Reisser was a member of the Vinton Presbyterian Church, serving as deaconess and on the evangelism committee, after-school and senior youth group leader, circle leader and Sunday school teacher. She served on the AFS Committee, having hosted a student from Turkey in 1963-64, and participated as a Farm Journal Test Family. In Arizona, she donated her hand-knit and hand-sewn items to Luke Air Force Base families.

Mrs. Reisser is survived by her two daughters, Cynthia Finch (David) of Solon, Ohio, and Ann Hughes (Ken) of Riverton, Ill.; four grandchildren, Thomas Finch and Rebecca Finch of Portland, Ore., Patrick Hughes of Springfield, Ill., and Samuel Hughes of Riverton, Ill.; one great-grandson, Hunter Hughes of Springfield, Ill.; two sisters, Miriam Moore of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Gloria McConkey of Glendale, Ariz.; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Benesh of Cedar Rapids, and Shirley Wilson (Bob) of Waterloo; and 21 nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be donated to a hospice of donor's choice or to Post-Polio Health International, 4207 Lindell Blvd., #110, St. Louis, MO 63108-2930; (www.post-polio.org).