Evelyn Mae Waterhouse

Evelyn was born on Feb. 19, 1924 at home on the family farm in Columbus Junction, Iowa, to Willard and Edith Flint (Lewis) Waterhouse. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Dorothy Viola Nelson (Earl Richard Nelson) and her brother, Willard Donald Waterhouse Jr. (died at birth).

Evelyn lost her mother when she was 12 years old in 1936. She was baptized as a teenager and graduated from Columbus Junction High School in 1942. She attended State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and went on to teach in rural school districts in Louisa and Johnson counties. She left teaching to care for her father.

Evelyn would later work for the W. T. Grant Co. in Davenport for 24 years, beginning in the pet department in the downtown location. She eventually became the store’s office manager. She trained new employees at the Kimberly Road store. When both stores closed in 1975, Evelyn was the last employee to leave after closing out the books. She retired in 1991 after working at Mercy Hospital for 15 years.

Evelyn was a member of First Baptist Church of Davenport for 74 years. She cherished her time as a member of the Mary Circle Class and was grateful for the loving care, prayers and cards extended to her by Mary Circle members.

Evelyn, who walked everywhere she could, often to church, believed it kept her healthy. She was known as very organized and frugal while also kind, generous, and able to love others well.

Evelyn spent many happy years as a resident of the Clarissa C. Cook home in West Davenport and had many friends there. While there, she met special friends Cris and Dave Hoeksema. She later lived at Luther Towers and Ridgecrest Village, where she made many nice friends.

Evelyn’s loved ones express their thanks to all the staff of Ridgecrest for their loving care of Evelyn and to St Croix Hospice.

A funeral service for Evelyn Mae Waterhouse will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11, at First Baptist Church of Davenport. Visitation will be held beginning at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to St. Croix Hospice or the Ridgecrest Foundation.