Mrs. Evelyn Viola Reece, 90, of North Platte, died unexpectedly at her home on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.
Evelyn was born at home with the help of a midwife on March 26, 1929 in Walnut, Nebraska. She was the 7th child born to Fritz and mary (Linquist) Block. The family moved to the North Platte, Nebraska area in 1935 where they settled on the North Platte River to farm.
Evelyn went on to graduate from Hershey High School in Hershey, Nebraska in 1947, then married a little while later. She was united in marriage to William Don Reece in Oberlin, Kansas on June 22, 1947 and the couple made their home in North Platte where they raised four children – Diana, Cathy, Rex and Kris.
In 1959, Evelyn went to work for Merle Norman Cosmetics, then purchased the business in 1973. She owned and managed the Merle Norman Studio in North Platte for 45 years until retiring in 2004. She loved what she did and enjoyed helping countless girls and women look their best. Evelyn also loved all her longtime customers as well as her newcomers and was proud to be a part of the Miss Nebraska and Miss Nebraska Rodeo Pageants, doing makeup for the contestants for several years.
Evelyn had a strong faith in God and had been an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church since 1939. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #163 and B.P.W. (Business & Professional Women’s group).
Evelyn was a great wife, mother and grandmother. She loved her family and friends and will be greatly missed.
She leaves behind her children, Diana Davis of North Platte, CAthy (Richard) Mikoloyck of Oshkosh, Nebraska, Rex (Marsha) Reece of North Platte, and Kris (Art) Hasenauer of Wellfleet, Nebraska; nine grandchildren, Chad (Lea) Reece, Josh Reece, Carrie (Brent) Begley, Lana (Brian) Stewart, Amy (Michael) Wilson, Michael Fought, Don (Kellie) Pell, Nicholas (Jessica) Mikoloyck and Jobi Hasenauer; many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Liela Block of Alaska; as well as many other family members.
Evelyn was preceded death by her husband, Don; parents, Fritz and Mary Block; all her siblings, Fritz Jr, Raymond and George Block, Irene Inman, Louise Stone, Matha Black and Mildred Young; great-grandson, Max Begley; and a great-great grandson.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 3, 2019 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church at 1400 East E Street in North Platte with Pastor Bob Deardoff officiating. Burial will follow in Fort McPherson Natoinal Cemetery in Maxwell, Nebraska. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2019 at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte, which is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Memorials in remembrance of Evelyn can be made to Our Redeemer Lutheran School.