Memorial

Evelyn Joan Thompson passed away Friday, September 2, 2022 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 88 years of age.

Evelyn was born August 6, 1934 in Radcliffe, Hardin County, Iowa.  She grew up on her parent’s farm in Hardin County and her family later moved to Story City where she graduated from Story City Junior High as the Salutatorian and from Story City High School in 1952.

Evelyn graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1956.  She met her future husband Kaye “Don” Thompson while working during summer break at Iowa State University.  Her first job out of college was Vocal Music Director and Freshman Sponsor at Corning High School.  

Don and Evelyn were married on August 17, 1957 in Story City, IA.   They made their home in Fort Dodge, Iowa where Evelyn taught music at Fort Dodge North Junior High until their oldest daughter Sara was born.  Later, she worked part time as a substitute teacher and when Don took over the family business, Evelyn became office manager and bookkeeper for H.K. Thompson Oil Company.  Evelyn is survived by her 3 children, Sara, Carol and Philip.

Evelyn was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Fort Dodge where she served, along with husband Don, as an elder.  They were both members of the church choir and were long time members of the Fort Dodge Civic Glee Club.  Evelyn was active in PEO in Fort Dodge and later in Sun City, AZ.    Evelyn was an awesome cook and everyone loved her pies, cinnamon rolls, kringla (Norwegian), cookies and bars.  She always volunteered for the church and PEO to make baked goods.  

The Thompsons spent their retirement living at Twin Lakes, IA; Cave Creek, AZ, Sun City, AZ and later Cedar Rapid, IA.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Kaye Don, parents Clarence M and Clara M (Amdall) Pearson, her siblings Arlette, Les, Carroll, Leah, and Betty.  

She is survived by their 3 children Sara Jane Thompson; Carol Jean Styron (Henry Perry) and Philip Howard Thompson (Cherie); 6 grandchildren Christina, Kirsten, Kyle, Katie, Helaina and Corey; 3 great grandchildren and sister-in-law Susan Thompson (Bill) Wahl.

Memorial services will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, IA on Saturday Oct. 1, at 10:30 AM.    A visitation and luncheon will be held directly following the service.  Burial will be on Thursday, October 13, at 2:00 PM at North Lawn Cemetery in Fort Dodge, IA.

Memorials in Evelyn’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Disease Research or the First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, IA.