Evelyn L. Lueders

Evelyn Lanora Tilton Lueders was born March 26, 1924 to Francis (Frank) and Della Saum Tilton in Virginia, Nebraska. She married Donald E Lueders of Cortland, Nebraska on September 21, 1946 and they enjoyed 45 years of marriage before his passing in 1991.

Evelyn was the 6th of 11 children. Her youth was spent living a farm life and enjoying the fresh air and freedom it brings. At school age she and one of her brothers often rode together on horseback to school. The family had little money but always seemed to make do. She talked of eating scant meals, sometimes only consisting of bread dipped in buttermilk. Then there were the times when her mom would go out and wring a chicken’s neck for a really good fried chicken dinner. Even the chicken’s feet were cooked and eaten. Nothing went to waste. It was hard times in those days for many. Evie graduated through the eighth grade, her folks could not afford books for further schooling. So she became a little mother to the 5 younger siblings that were born.

As a young woman during World War II she worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” at Boeing Bomber Plant in Wichita, Kansas. She worked at Goodyear Rubber making airplane gas tanks in Lincoln, Nebraska. and also worked as a Gas Service Station attendant where she would fill customer gas tanks, change tires, oil and took a mechanic course so she could perform auto maintenance.

Evie met Don after WWII at the Ballroom on the south end of Lincoln, Nebraska. After her marriage to Don in 1946, they quickly had four children in five years. The two youngest only 11 months apart. Evie enjoyed being a homemaker and loved to sew, making matching outfits for her 3 girls when they were little. For a span of 10 years Evie was a cook at a junior high school. Since the school did not use the end crust of bread loaves, she would bring home a full loaf bag of ‘heels’. Oh how us kids loved toasted ‘heels’ with our eggs.

Evie loved gardening and preserving the summer bounty for the family to enjoy during the winter months. She also loved her flower garden and enjoyed mowing the lawn. She and Don were longtime members of the Meadowlark Model A club and enjoyed going to Model A events, even driving to Colorado and going up Pikes Peak with the club in their Model A’s.

Survivors are her 4 children, Denny (Priscilla) Lueders, Diana (Bob) Caldwell, Patricia (Nate) Griffith, and Pamela (Joe) Madsen. Evie will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Dan (Vicki Holoubeck) Lueders, Lisa (Chris) Marsh, Monica (Allen) Yost, Chad (Bobbi) Goin, Aaron (Chrissy) Goin, and Spring (Aaron) McDaniel, 11 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. Additional survivors include two brothers, Arlin (Judy) Tilton and Lorraine Tilton.