Memorial

Michael P Evans,84, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, AKA Mike, Uncle Mike, Spike, or Grand Puppy by these who knew and loved him, passed away on Tuesday, January 30th ,2024 at Bickford of Marion.  A private family service for Mike will be held at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. 

Mike was born on December 30th, 1939, to Renald P Evans and Virginia Turner Evans in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He was the 3rd of 4 children Renald and Virgina would bring into this world (Tim, Mike, Molly and Tom). Mike attended Franklin High School for 3 years and graduated from Washington High School as a member of its first graduating class.

Mike married Lynn Sousley of Lexington Kentucky in 1967 and from that marriage their beautiful and loving daughter Dru Evans Bernard was born.

Mike attended Northland College in Ashland Wisconsin and worked at the Indian Head Ski resort both as a ski instructor and on their ski patrol. Mike then started his business career at the family business. The Turner Microphone Company here in Cedar Rapids in 1968. Mike would later go on to help found other family business’s, Hardi-Gardens and Triple ES Ltd., and would work in bank market consulting, and concluded his career as a senior regional manager for ISI of Fond du lac Wisconsin a firm that specializes in the design of McDonalds franchises throughout the Mid-West. Many of Mike’s unique designs won awards for his franchisee customers and deep appreciation from The McDonalds Corporation.

Mike was quite a person. Fun loving, adventurous, generous, a cut-up generally, and full of love for just about everything. Mike was also very creative with just about any art form.

Mike loved his relationships with his buddies and started the Chrome Sanctuary, his motorcycle group, and attended The Legends (and Legends they were) lunch group. He was also a member of Rotary Club for many years.

Mike was also known as “Chain Saw Mike" for his love of cutting down large trees around his property as well as for friends. He could drop a tree wherever and whenever a friend called, which amazed and scared those involved.  Mike was also a fabulous downhill skier and along with his brother Tom, built a ski hill rope tow where he spent many hours teaching friends and family how to ski and of course along the way, sharing his latest and best jokes and funny stories which were both true and some a little expanded for effect, of course.

“Fire in the Hole” …Mike also so loved pyrotechnics, was a licensed Pyro, and scared the heck out of many neighbors and friends with his displays on the 4th of July, at Thanksgiving and Christmas or whenever the spirit moved him.

Mike loved baseball as did his dad Renald (Renny) Evans and was on the Board of the then “CR Reds “for many years.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Renald and Virginia Evans, and his brother Tim Evans.

Mike is survived by his loving wife Lynn Sousley Evans; a daughter, Dru Evans Bernard, his son-in-law; Derek Bernard, a granddaughter; Zoey Bernard, his loving dog Carly; a sister, Molly Evans Scott and her husband Brian; a brother, Thomas John Evans and his wife Julie; nephew’s, Branif Scott and Ryan Evans; niece’s, Britney Scott Courter and Kelli Evans, and assorted other grand nephews and nieces. 

Condolences may be sent to his endearing wife, Lynn Evans at 1100 Linden Drive #108, Marion, Iowa, 52302.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mike’s Dog Park Memorial fund, Dru Bernard; 1624 Urbana Avenue, Deltona, Fla. 32725.