Evelyn "Evie" J. Kaven

Evelyn “Evie” J. Kaven, 87, of Aberdeen, passed away on February 12, 2014, two days before the 67th anniversary of her wedding engagement. Evelyn was a resident at the Golden Living Center in Groton, SD.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, February 18, 2014, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Ave. SE, Aberdeen, with Father David Janes, Celebrant. Burial will take place at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Ave NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Friends may sign her online guestbook at schriversmemorial.com.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, at the mortuary, followed by a Liturgical Wake Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues for one hour before Mass at church on Tuesday.

Evelyn June Grote was born on April 19, 1926, to Fred and Marvel (Kuhfeld) Grote in her grandparents’ house, Albert and Bertha Kuhfeld, in Warner, SD. She was baptized in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Aberdeen and was confirmed there also on May 18, 1941. She attended Blue Star School #17 in Richland Township and Mina High School for two years until the school closed in 1942 going on to graduate from Warner High School on May 23, 1944. Having earned her teaching certificate from Northern State Teacher’s College, she taught school in Edmunds and Brown Counties. Evelyn loved teaching and she so loved all of her students.

Evelyn was united in marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Lawrence Kaven, on June 12, 1947 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she was a member until her death. Together they raised their family working on the farm where Lawrence was born south of Mina, just two miles from her family farm. She also worked part time for many years at Lager’s Inn and seven years at the Hub City Livestock Auction. They sold their cattle in 1982 and semi-retired making time for traveling which they both enjoyed. In 2001, they sold the farm and moved to Aberdeen. On June 24, 2013 Evelyn became a resident of the Golden Living Center in Groton, SD and continued to reside there until the time of her death.

Evelyn was a member of the Women of the Moose, a past member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles No. 632, and a past member of the Catholic Daughters of America and the Christian Mothers. Evelyn was awarded a plaque for 48 years of faithful service to the Richland Township as secretary and for hosting the meetings.

The loves of her life were her family, her many wonderful friends, her love of music, singing, dancing, playing the piano, harmonica and accordion, genealogy, photography, making scrapbooks, going on trips and driving through the countryside with the love of her life. Evelyn cherished the great times she had with her friends throughout the years. She was a hard worker and especially enjoyed farm life, working side by side helping Lawrence.

Evelyn is survived by her husband of 66 years, Lawrence of Aberdeen; one son, Gary (Judy) Kaven of Parker, CO; one daughter, Shirley (Buff) Heinle of Aberdeen; two granddaughters, Delane Pope and Melissa Scott both of Aberdeen; two twin great-granddaughters, Heather (Jeffrey) Michael and Ashley Pope, and great-grandson, Chandler Pope all of Colorado Springs, CO; great-grandson, Hayden Scott of Aberdeen; great-great granddaughter, Marcella Pope of Colorado Springs, CO; one sister, Helen (Donald) Brick of Aberdeen; sisters-in-law Ramona Grote of Mina, SD and Phyllis Grote of Wichita, KS; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; three bothers, Fredrick in 1930 (stillborn); Dean Grote of Wichita, KS in 1989, Dale Grote of Mina, SD in 1993, and a granddaughter Chelsie June Heinle (11 days old) of Colorado Springs, CO in 1986.

Memorials are preferred to: The National Alzheimer’s Research Program, Sacred Heart Catholic Parish or the Golden Living Center in Groton.