Obituary for Mary Evelyn Reynolds (Oliver)
Evelyn Reynolds, 91, left her earthly life and went to be with her eternal family Sunday, July 3, 2022, in Kingsford, Michigan.
Born Mary Evelyn Oliver, February 3, 1931, in Kent, Washington, daughter of Frank Oliver and Helen (McCauley) of Scottish and Irish heritage. She was raised on a large dairy farm in Prairie, Washington, with her seven brothers and sisters. The family were victims of the polio epidemic and suffered residual effects through death.
Evelyn married Duane Gale Welk, on August 27, 1949, in Anacortes, Washington. Their 1st two children, Karlene Louise (Bill Hall), Iron Mountain, Mich., and Steven Lynn Welk, Perris, CA, were also born in Washington. Duane served in the Army and was stationed in southern California. Loving the warmer climate, the family moved south and bought a house in 1959 in Riverside, California. Their 3rd child, Karen Leanne (Efren Collins), was born in California and lives in Nuevo, California.
Evelyn was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed being very active in her family’s lives, serving with the church, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and PTO. She remained close with her siblings and their children. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate and affirm them.
Evelyn and Duane purchased two 7-11 stores in Riverside. After retirement, they enjoyed traveling in their RV. They were docents at Perris Lake Campgrounds and Yai Heki Indian Museum.
Duane died in July 1996. Evelyn married their dear friend, James Reynolds. James and Evelyn enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, South America, and the United States. James’ two sons, their wives, and family added to the joy and celebrations of a blended family.
Evelyn lived with her youngest daughter until May 2018, when she decided to bring the family roots back to Michigan, where her parents and grandparents were born. She was proud of being an Upper Michigan resident, fascinated by the four seasons. She spent her last years living with Karlene and Bill. Finally, she was close to her Michigan grandchildren and great-grandchildren, where she continued to celebrate and love her family.
She was a member of the Maranatha Assembly of God and volunteered weekly at Maranatha Messengers, where she met many new precious friends.
When asked how she was doing, she would say, “Well, I’m above dirt, and I am waiting to become above earth.”
Evelyn is survived by her three children; grandchildren, Monique Marie (Joe Nelson), Sleepy Hollow, IL; Danielle Kae Hall and Angelech Louise (Michael Joslin), Bark River; grandchildren Aaron Bryce Collins, Anaheim, CA and Garrett Michael Collins, Whidbey Island, Washington and two great-grandchildren Brianna Elizabeth and Caleb William Nelson, Sleepy Hollow; many nieces and nephews; as well as two stepchildren, Scott (Cindi) Reynolds and Mark (Leanna) Reynolds, Riverside, CA. and their children and grandchildren.
She was preceded by her parents, siblings, and husbands.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, Mich. A Celebration of Life service will be offered Saturday, 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Pastor David Wilton will officiate. Evelyn will join her husband, Duane, at Riverside National Cemetery, CA.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Evelyn’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Evelyn’s legacy of life.
Born Mary Evelyn Oliver, February 3, 1931, in Kent, Washington, daughter of Frank Oliver and Helen (McCauley) of Scottish and Irish heritage. She was raised on a large dairy farm in Prairie, Washington, with her seven brothers and sisters. The family were victims of the polio epidemic and suffered residual effects through death.
Evelyn married Duane Gale Welk, on August 27, 1949, in Anacortes, Washington. Their 1st two children, Karlene Louise (Bill Hall), Iron Mountain, Mich., and Steven Lynn Welk, Perris, CA, were also born in Washington. Duane served in the Army and was stationed in southern California. Loving the warmer climate, the family moved south and bought a house in 1959 in Riverside, California. Their 3rd child, Karen Leanne (Efren Collins), was born in California and lives in Nuevo, California.
Evelyn was a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed being very active in her family’s lives, serving with the church, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and PTO. She remained close with her siblings and their children. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate and affirm them.
Evelyn and Duane purchased two 7-11 stores in Riverside. After retirement, they enjoyed traveling in their RV. They were docents at Perris Lake Campgrounds and Yai Heki Indian Museum.
Duane died in July 1996. Evelyn married their dear friend, James Reynolds. James and Evelyn enjoyed traveling throughout Europe, South America, and the United States. James’ two sons, their wives, and family added to the joy and celebrations of a blended family.
Evelyn lived with her youngest daughter until May 2018, when she decided to bring the family roots back to Michigan, where her parents and grandparents were born. She was proud of being an Upper Michigan resident, fascinated by the four seasons. She spent her last years living with Karlene and Bill. Finally, she was close to her Michigan grandchildren and great-grandchildren, where she continued to celebrate and love her family.
She was a member of the Maranatha Assembly of God and volunteered weekly at Maranatha Messengers, where she met many new precious friends.
When asked how she was doing, she would say, “Well, I’m above dirt, and I am waiting to become above earth.”
Evelyn is survived by her three children; grandchildren, Monique Marie (Joe Nelson), Sleepy Hollow, IL; Danielle Kae Hall and Angelech Louise (Michael Joslin), Bark River; grandchildren Aaron Bryce Collins, Anaheim, CA and Garrett Michael Collins, Whidbey Island, Washington and two great-grandchildren Brianna Elizabeth and Caleb William Nelson, Sleepy Hollow; many nieces and nephews; as well as two stepchildren, Scott (Cindi) Reynolds and Mark (Leanna) Reynolds, Riverside, CA. and their children and grandchildren.
She was preceded by her parents, siblings, and husbands.
Visitation will be held Saturday, July 9, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, Mich. A Celebration of Life service will be offered Saturday, 11:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Pastor David Wilton will officiate. Evelyn will join her husband, Duane, at Riverside National Cemetery, CA.
Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Evelyn’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Evelyn’s legacy of life.