TAMA-Evelyn Marie Wiese, age 91, of Tama, died on Friday, March 2, 2007 at Grandview Acres in Toledo due to a lengthy illness. Funeral Services will be held Monday, March 5, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with Pastoral Associate Tom Christoffer officiating. Interment will be private at a later date at National Cemetery in rural Vining. Visitation will be held prior to the service Monday, March 5, 2007 from 9-11 AM at the funeral home.
Evelyn Wiese was born on October 23, 1915, in rural Traer, Iowa, the daughter of Wesley and Marie (Pulkrabek) Stepanek.
She received her education in the Perry Township rural schools and grew to womanhood on farms near Clutier, LaPorte City and Dysart until moving to the Fred Cherveny farm four and one half miles southwest of Traer.
On June 17, 1935, she was united in marriage to Joseph Benedik at I.C. Catholic Church in Clutier. The couple lived on farms near Elberon, Belle Plaine, and La Porte City before purchasing the farm of Frank Duhachek, northwest of Chelsea, in 1950. They resided there until moving to Tama on October 12, 1968. Joseph died on November 25, 1969.
On August 10, 1970, she was married to Wilbert Wiese in Waterloo. The couple resided in Tama. Wilbert died on February 5, 1987.
Evelyn was previously employed at the High School working in the lunch program. She was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tama, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary, Aerie #2828. She was active in the community, helping neighbors and helping at the Sunny Hill Care Center and Bethesda Care Center. Evelyn loved to cook, fish, sew and dance.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husbands, Joseph and Wilbert; one sister, Agnes Lawson; and one son-in-law, Gerald Lawson.
Survivors include one son, James (Patricia) Benedik of Villa Rica, GA; one daughter, Kathryn Lawson of Tama; one sister, Mary Frances Vajgrt of Toledo; two brothers, Charles Stepanek of Malcom and John Stepanek of Cedar Rapids; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and former daughter-in-law, Gerda Benedik.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Iowa Hospice, 3835 West 9th St, Waterloo, IA 50702 are appreciated.