Evelyn M. Galles (Rodgers)

SIOUX CITY -- Evelyn M. Galles, 98, formerly of Sioux City, went home to join the beloved ones who passed before her, on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010.

Visitation for Evelyn was held 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, in the chapel of Southfield Village 6450 Miami Circle, South Bend, Ind. A vigil and memorial service with Chaplain Debra Hewitt was held at 6:30 p.m. Her funeral Mass was held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at St. Monica Catholic Church 222 W. Mishawaka Ave., Mishawaka, Ind., with the Rev. Jeffrey Largent officiating. The Mass was preceded by visitation one hour before the service. Burial will take place at Logan Park Cemetery in Sioux City.

A graveside service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Logan Cemetery. Sioux City arrangements are being handled by Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home.

Evelyn was born April 8, 1911, in Thurston County, Neb., to Lawrence and Grace (Richardson ) Rodgers. Raised on a farm in Onawa, Iowa, Evelyn was the first-born daughter in a family of seven children. As a young girl Evelyn tended to her younger siblings in infancy and early childhood. She was looked upon as a stabilizing force in her family. She continued to offer hospitality and support to family members particularly when they were experiencing difficult times. She was an avid listener and, on occasion, was known to deliver a healthy dose of common sense advice.

In 1928 having just turned 17, Evelyn graduated from Onawa High School. In the throes of the Depression she secured a job as a switchboard operator for the telephone company. After working there for six years, she had saved enough money to pay her way through nurses' training. She graduated from the St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing in Sioux City in 1937 and began her nursing career in the surgery department at the same hospital.

In 1938 Evelyn married William "Bill" Galles. At that time nurses were not allowed to work and be married so the couple agreed to marry anyway, but in secret. Before Bill's untimely death in 1943, they were able to purchase a home, furnish it tastefully and start a family.

In 1951 Evelyn returned to nursing as the head nurse in EENT surgery in Sioux City. She remained there until her retirement at age 67. She then moved to Mishawaka, Ind., to be near her daughter and her family.

Evelyn enjoyed her home and her family. No stranger to hard work, exercise came in the form of walking to and from work, planting, mowing, raking and shoveling in addition to responsibilities of work in and outside of the home. In her later years Evelyn enjoyed handwork, knitting and quilting. Family members will continue to be kept warm by her beautiful afghans and handmade quilts. To many who knew her, she will be remembered for the warmth of her smile.

Surviving are a daughter, Nancy (Jim) Olson of Mishawaka, Ind.; three grandchildren, Catherine (Jeff) Brown, Susanne (Mark) Treiber and Dan (Misty) Olson: seven great-grandchildren, Anna and Owen Brown, Greta, Luke and Paul Treiber and Ella and Alec Olson. Her sister, June Geadelmann, of Mapleton, Iowa, also survives along with 18 nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Evelyn was preceded in death by her sisters, Mardelle Rodgers Holt, Hazel Rodgers Buchanan and Bette Rodgers Reese; brothers, Dr. Maurice S. Rodgers and Kenneth Rodgers.

The family would like to extend our deep appreciation to those who assisted Evelyn in her later years. They include the compassionate care given by the staff of Southfield Village, her friends and neighbors at Sedgwick House, Dr. Gail English, M.D., Jean Ellen Brown and the children of St. Monica School, the helpful employees of Martins' Supermarket on South Ironwood and the caregivers from Comfort Keepers and Center for Hospice and Palliative Care.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Monica Catholic Church Choir Fund or Southfield Village for its new fitness room.

To leave the family an online condolence or to share memories with the family, please visit our Web site at www.hahnfuneralhomes.com .