Evelyn
Evelyn Ihrke
d. April 9, 2018
Evelyn Ihrke, age 94, long-time Eyota resident, died Monday, April 9, 2018 at Grand
Village Lodge, Grand Rapids, MN.
Evelyn Dorothea Emma (Reinecke) Ihrke was born November 20, 1923 to Walter and
Eva (Beck) Reinecke, Quincy Township, Olmsted County.
She was baptized on December 30, 1923 by Rev. John M. Munz at St. Paul’s
Evangelical and Reformed Church, Viola Township. Evelyn was confirmed November
14, 1937 by Rev. Paul Dittrich at St. Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church.
She attended District 105 and graduated from Eyota High School in 1942.
Evelyn was married to Leland Ihrke on October 13, 1943 by Rev. John Siegle at St.
Paul’s Evangelical and Reformed Church, Viola Township. She and Leland farmed
with his parents until October 1946 when they moved to Evelyn’s parents’ farm east of
St. Paul’s Church.
Evelyn served her church as treasurer of the Women’s Guild 1950-1951; sang in the
choir from confirmation until 1997, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School;
directed the Junior and Senior Choirs from 1963-1965. She, along with her mother
Eva Reinecke and friend Florence Siegle, visited the Holy Land in 1970. Evelyn also
worked for Dr. Robert Weinrich, DDS from August 1965 to March 1974.
In 1980, she and Leland moved to Eyota. They did volunteer work with Meals-On-
Wheels and the Dover-Eyota Food Shelf until it closed in February 1995. In August
1990 she became the church secretary at St, Paul’s Church until January 2001.
Evelyn also worked in the Dover-Eyota Elementary School Food Services from 1998-
October 2002. Throughout the years, she also was a volunteer on the Olmsted
County Health Board.
Evelyn and Leland moved to Arbor Gardens, January 15, 2003. On April 1, 2007,
they moved to Grand Rapids, MN. She was a “member” of the Warm Fuzzies (Elder
Circle - Grand Rapids, MN) knitting caps for preemies and cancer patients.
Evelyn enjoyed kitting, going to the casino and traveling with her family.
Survivors include two daughters, Judith (Richard) Koperski of Eyota and Jeanne
(Judd) Watson of Bovey, MN; grandchildren Cindy Markstrom Siegle of Rochester,
Rhonda Lambrecht and her husband Adam of Talmoon and Jay Siegle of
Wanamingo. Evelyn is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Josephine
Cunningham, Samantha Lambrecht, A.J. Lambrecht, Krysta (Brandon) Lowrey, and
Amanda (Joseph) Freeland; five great-great-grandchildren: Adalynn, Annalise,
Audrey, Eli, and Huck. Other survivors include sister-in-law Gladys Loucks of
Stewartville, brother-in-law Leonard Hammel of Plainview, special friends Rick and
Arlene Boynton and their families, first cousin Harold (Hap) Beck of Elgin and his
family.
Evelyn was preceded in death by husband Leland April 20, 2008 and grandson
Steven Siegle October 4, 2012.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 13 at St. Paul’s United Church of
Christ, Eyota, MN with the Rev. Jean Boese officiating. Visitation will be one hour
before the service at 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at the church cemetery.
Schad & Zabel Funeral Home, 115 South St., Eyota, MN, 55934, 507-545-2020
Schadandzabelfuneralhomes
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