Wilbur Evarts

WILBUR EVARTS

Edgewood

Wilbur "Willie" Alva Evarts, 90, of Edgewood, Iowa, formerly of Marion, went to be with his Lord on Saturday Aug. 7, 2021, surrounded by his loving family. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, at the Marion First United Methodist Church.

A Celebration of Life will be held with family and friends following the service at Wanatee Park Cedar Red Lodge from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

Willie Evarts was born in West Concord, Minn., on Sept. 28, 1930, the son of William Evarts and Elsie Pendergast Evarts. He attended technical school at Mankato, then, following his service in the Army during the Korean conflict, he began his fulfilling 50+ year career at Rockwell Collins in avionics environmental testing.

Willie enjoyed spending time woodworking, oil painting, playing the piano and restoring antique vehicles. He participated in Paint'n Pallet Art Club and preserving the Grant Wood Antioch School house in Anamosa, Iowa. He enjoyed traveling the world with his beloved wife, Evie.

Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, doing things like camping and fishing. After using his homemade bug device, he would proclaim "there's not a mosquito within 1000 miles of here!" He loved hosting taco parties and fun events like his unique neighborhood flag day celebration. His zest for life was evident in his joking, storytelling and any excuse to bring people together for fun and fellowship. He loved teaching and mentoring people, helping them navigate life's challenges. He made the world's best pancakes and cheesy eggs for his grandchildren whenever they stayed over.

He was past Master of Marion Masonic Lodge 6 and a member of the El Kahir Shrine organization and the Marion United Methodist church.

Along with his service to country and community, he was always there to lend a hand, fix something, provide a ride, or lend an ear to listen. His was a life well-lived.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Garth Evarts; and sister, Arleta (Evarts) Saugen.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of nearly 70 yeras, Evelyn (First) Evarts (who was often found holding his hand or greeting him with an affectionate smooch); his son. Gary (Kathy) Evarts of Manchester, Iowa; daughters, Lynn (Dan) Hoke of Oakdale, Minn., and Cindy (Jeff) State, Manchester, Iowa; favorite grandchildren (they all were called his favorite), Holly Evarts, Kelsey (Stan) Szeto, Lindsay Hoke, Rachel Hoke, Gage State and Rylee State; and great-grandchild, Archie Szeto.

Memorial contributions will be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children or the First United Methodist Church.

To watch the service live, go to MarionMethodist.org then to the Watch Live Tab.