Ruby Iola Evans was born February 2, 1914 in Brookings County, SD to parents Peter and Mathilda (Sundet) Ust. She died January 15, 2010 at theGood Samaritan Center in Centerville, SD at the age of 95 years, 11 months and 13 days.

Iola graduated from Sinai High School in 1932. She married Howard Evans in 1934. Iola moved to Centerville in 1945. She worked at Good Samaritan Center, Morningside Manor in Alcester and various jobs in Centerville, Alcester and Sioux Falls. She cared for many children in the Centerville community with whom she has stayed in very close contact over the years. She moved to the Good Samaritan Center in February of 2000 and has resided there until the present time.

Iola was baptized into the Lutheran faith in Brookings, SD and was confirmed in Volga, SD. She was a woman of deep faith and believed in the power of prayer. She was currently a member of Scandia Lutheran Church where she enjoyed being involved in Circle and the Quilting Group. She was also a member of the Centerville Senior Citizens Center.

Iolas greatest joy was the love of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great, great grandchildren. She loved to attend all school activities of her family well into her 90s and will be remembered for her great cooking, baking, and for the afghans she crocheted for many people.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Milton and Lloyd, a sister Irene, a sister in infancy, three children, Richard Evans, Marilyn Newberg, and Carol Ann Evans, son-in-law Jim Ronan and grandson Jimmy Ronan.

She is survived by her children: Patricia Ronan of Cottage Grove, OR, Howard (Bud) Evans and wife Carol of Reedsport, OR and Kathy Anderson and husband Floyd of Centerville, SD; 15 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 7 great, great grandchildren; special sister-in-law Ruby Evans of Rapid City; family friend Shirlee Hall of Centerville; and many nieces and nephews that were dear to her heart. She will be missed greatly by all.

Funeral services will be 10:00AM, Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at Scandia Lutheran Church, Centerville, with burial to follow at Riverview Cemetery, rural Centerville. Visitation will be Tuesday from 2PM to 8PM with family present from 6PM to 8PM and a prayer service at 7PM at Wass Funeral Home in Centerville.