Evelyn
Evelyn Gray
d. September 1, 2011
Evelyn Joyce Gray, age 88, passed away at Samaritan Bethany Home in Rochester on September 1, 2011. Evelyn was the third child born to Walter E. and Clara (Broecker) Gray in Delhi Township, Redwood County, Minnesota. Soon after her birth on April 16, 1923, the family moved to rural Lake City. She attended District 90 rural school and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1940. Other education included the School of Agriculture at the University of Minnesota, a Home Ec Degree from Minnesota, and a MS in Nutrition at Cornell University.
After many years as a 4H member, Evelyn became an adult leader, then a county 4H Assistant in Cottonwood County, then in Faribault and Blue Earth Counties. Following that, she worked for a year in Laos for a community development team, International Voluntary Services. She was home agent in Wright County for several years, and her next career assignment was as Nutrition Specialist at Ohio State University. When she left that position, several years of part time work followed, and she retired to volunteer for 13 years with the International Leadership Training Institute which was developing correspondence type seminary training. The Institute moved abroad and shortly thereafter, she retired again to live with her brother in Lake City.
One of the joys of her life has been the growing Christian experience. She was born into a family with a strong Christian heritage. Both her grandfathers had been lay preachers in pioneer days, and this heritage became real for her with an experience the summer she was 13. She read a book about a missionary in the tropics, and as she laid down the book, she said, "I want to be like that." No fanfare, but she was changed: God's call had become real to her. It has continued to work out in her life in subtle and overt ways. Since she returned to Lake City, God has guided her in developing a Bible study: "The Essence of the Bible". Since it was reviewed and approved by a friend who is a theologian, she has made it freely available.
She is now a member of the First Congregational Church and was a member of Rivers of Living Water, (both of Lake City), the Lake City Women's Club, and on the board of Pass It On Thrift Shop.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Clara Gray, her brothers, Glen A., Arthur J., and Walter E. Jr., and one sister, Marilyn A. (Dose). She is survived by sister-in-law Frances (Walter) Gray of Rochester, Minnesota, and eight nieces and nephews. They are David (Barbara) Gray, Houston, TX; Patricia (Ray) Anderson, Rochester, MN; Catherine (Tim) McNees, Kenmore, WA; Dennis (Trudie) Dose, South Haven, MI; Ann Dose, Rochester, MN; Scott (Deb Fawcett) Dose Maple Grove, MN; Carol Dose, Robbinsdale, MN; and Sharon (Doug) Fitterer, Eagan, MN. There are also twelve grand nephews and nieces.
Friends may also contact [email protected]
After many years as a 4H member, Evelyn became an adult leader, then a county 4H Assistant in Cottonwood County, then in Faribault and Blue Earth Counties. Following that, she worked for a year in Laos for a community development team, International Voluntary Services. She was home agent in Wright County for several years, and her next career assignment was as Nutrition Specialist at Ohio State University. When she left that position, several years of part time work followed, and she retired to volunteer for 13 years with the International Leadership Training Institute which was developing correspondence type seminary training. The Institute moved abroad and shortly thereafter, she retired again to live with her brother in Lake City.
One of the joys of her life has been the growing Christian experience. She was born into a family with a strong Christian heritage. Both her grandfathers had been lay preachers in pioneer days, and this heritage became real for her with an experience the summer she was 13. She read a book about a missionary in the tropics, and as she laid down the book, she said, "I want to be like that." No fanfare, but she was changed: God's call had become real to her. It has continued to work out in her life in subtle and overt ways. Since she returned to Lake City, God has guided her in developing a Bible study: "The Essence of the Bible". Since it was reviewed and approved by a friend who is a theologian, she has made it freely available.
She is now a member of the First Congregational Church and was a member of Rivers of Living Water, (both of Lake City), the Lake City Women's Club, and on the board of Pass It On Thrift Shop.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Clara Gray, her brothers, Glen A., Arthur J., and Walter E. Jr., and one sister, Marilyn A. (Dose). She is survived by sister-in-law Frances (Walter) Gray of Rochester, Minnesota, and eight nieces and nephews. They are David (Barbara) Gray, Houston, TX; Patricia (Ray) Anderson, Rochester, MN; Catherine (Tim) McNees, Kenmore, WA; Dennis (Trudie) Dose, South Haven, MI; Ann Dose, Rochester, MN; Scott (Deb Fawcett) Dose Maple Grove, MN; Carol Dose, Robbinsdale, MN; and Sharon (Doug) Fitterer, Eagan, MN. There are also twelve grand nephews and nieces.
Friends may also contact [email protected]
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