It is with sadness that we announce Evelyn Woolston passed away on August 29th, 2023 at the age of 86, but rejoice that she now resides in her heavenly home. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years Kenneth Woolston.
Evelyn was born to William and Alma Trost in 1936 in Concordia, Kansas. She was the 7th of 9 children. She grew up on a farm in a loving family home. She details never ‘wanting for much’ during the Depression due to the family’s ability to sustain themselves with what they produced. This was the foundation of her love for God, family, and farming. She graduated from Concordia High School.
After High School, Evelyn attended Westmar College where she pursued her 2-year teaching degree. Her charismatic personality was well suited for cheerleading in high school and Westmar College, and for going on a mission trip to eastern U.S. with the Youth for Christ organization. She wrote and shared a devotional from Ephesians 6, regarding donning the armor of God.
She later would obtain her Bachelor of Science while she was teaching. She began her teaching career in Sutherland, Iowa and lived with other single teachers in town. These ladies were excellent catches for the young men of Sutherland, including Kenneth Woolston. Evelyn, being very proper had to return her other prospect’s “pin” prior to engaging in courtship with Ken. Her teaching career was spent in the elementary grades where she really enjoyed teaching young, eager and inquisitive minds. In 2006 she was a candidate for Iowa Teacher of the Year.
Ken and Evelyn worked the family farm during which it became A Century Farm. There they raised their two children Tami and Todd teaching them the meaning of hard work and a love for God our Creator. They encouraged and were active in the Sutherland Community and Maple Grove Church. Both enjoyed involvement in the O’Brien County Republican Central Committee and then Evelyn in the Boone County chapter, becoming delegates to the State Convention.
Later in life Ken and Evelyn would travel frequently to central Iowa to watch their grandchildren participate in a variety of activities. They were about to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary when Ken unexpectedly passed away in June of 2007. After Ken’s passing Evelyn moved to Boone, Iowa to be closer to family. Anyone that really knew Evelyn knew that her priorities were faith in God, Family, America, teaching, bacon and growing beautiful roses. She attended Grace Community Church during her residence in Boone.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Ken, parents Will and Alma Trost, siblings; Lola, Melvin, Ruth, John, Keith, and Cindy. She is survived by her children: Tami (Wyman) Martinek and Todd (Sue) Woolston; grandchildren Melissa and Mitchell Martinek, Seth Woolston and Noah (Alyssa) Woolston, as well as siblings Willo (Jacque) Harris and D.D. (Dottie) Trost.
Services were held on Saturday, September 2, 2023 at Grace Community Church in Boone, Iowa, with Rev. Tim Trudeau officiating. A private family interment took place at Waterman Cemetery in Sutherland, Iowa. A Memorial Service was held on Monday, September 4, 2023 at R.L. Johannsen Community Center in Sutherland, Iowa, with Rev. Michael Hyde officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Grace Community Church Youth Group of Boone or the S.W.A.T. youth group of the Madrid Evangelical Free Church. God and children, Evelyn’s priorities!!!
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com.