Evelyn Kerkhoff, age 91, of Templeton, died Monday, December 29, 2014, at St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Templeton. The Celebrant will be Fr. Steve Brodersen. Con-Celebrant will be Fr. Dale Reiff. Music will be by Jeanne Kerkhoff and the Sacred Heart Men’s Choir. Lector will be Roberta Tigges. Gift Bearers will be Evelyn’s great-grandchildren: Jayden Westercamp, Trace Westercamp, Justin Bauer, Sam Kerkhoff, Madelyn Kerkhoff, Lydia Kerkhoff, and Jace Bauer. Eucharistic Ministers will be Audrey Siepker, and Dale Schlichte. Casket Bearers will be Evelyn’s grandchildren: Kellie Westercamp, Chad Kerkhoff, Jason Bauer, Kristin Wittry, Cole Kerkhoff, and Brandon Kerkhoff. Burial will be in the parish cemetery. The St. Anthony Nurses Alumni Association will form an honor guard for the funeral mass.
Friends may call at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll on Thursday after 2:30 p.m. where there will be a rosary at 3 p.m. and a Christian Wake Service at 5 p.m. The casket will be moved to Sacred Heart Church at 9:30 a.m. on Friday where visitation will resume until the time of the funeral mass.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for Evelyn’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Born on May 25, 1923 on her parent’s farm near Carroll, Iowa, Evelyn Ann was the daughter of William and Gertrude (Scharfenkamp) Simons. Evelyn grew up near the Carroll community and was baptized and confirmed at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Carroll. She graduated from St. Angela’s Academy in 1941. Evelyn then continued her education at St. Anthony Nursing School where she graduated in 1944. She was employed as a Registered Nurse at St. Anthony Hospital until her marriage. On June 17, 1948, Evelyn was united in marriage to Robert Kerkhoff at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. The couple farmed north of Templeton where Evelyn was a devoted homemaker. In 1986 the couple retired and moved into Templeton. Over the years she also volunteered with the American Red Cross. Evelyn lived at home until July 2008 when she became a resident of St. Anthony Nursing Home in Carroll.
Evelyn was a great cook, baker, and always enjoyed hosting family gatherings. She also enjoyed gardening, flowers, and needlework. Evelyn had a deep devotion to her faith. She was a member of St. Anthony Nurses Alumni Association, Sacred Heart Parish Ladies Guild, and an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church over the years.
Left to celebrate Evelyn’s life are her children: Stan (Kathy) Kerkhoff of Carroll, Judy (Jim) Bauer of Lake City, and Dale (Joleen) Kerkhoff of Templeton; grandchildren: Chad (Michelle) Kerkhoff of Carroll, Kellie (Jay) Westercamp of Jacksonville, FL., Jason (Jenah) Bauer of Emmetsburg, Kristin (Nick) Wittry of Carroll, Cole Kerkhoff, and friend Brooke Ramsey of Templeton, and Brandon Kerkhoff of Templeton; 7 great-grandchildren; a sister: Catherine Zimmer of Carroll; her sister-in-laws: Rita Simons of Carroll, and Phyllis Muhlbauer of Manilla; and brother-in-law Ted Meiners of Carroll; as well as many nieces nephews, and other extended relatives.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband Robert on June 14, 1993; a grandson, Jeremy Bauer; and her siblings: Delores Irlmeier, Gertrude Renze, Marie Hahn, and Ann Eich, and Joe Simons.
