Carl E. Evans

Carl Eugene Evans, 92, died May 17, 2025, at Valley View Village in Des Moines. Born on April 9, 1933, in Grinnell, Iowa, Carl was the first child of Willis E. and Anna May (Quivey) Evans. He was joined by his younger sister, Mary, two years later. Carl attended country school until the seventh grade and graduated from Grinnell Public High School in 1951, where he was a member of the National Honor Society and excelled in football and track.

On August 22, 1954, Carl married Reatha Johnston. Following her diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer's, Carl devoted himself to her care until her passing in 2012, after 57 years of marriage.

He attended Iowa State University in Ames, majoring in farm operations. Carl then returned to the family farm in rural Grinnell during his father's final illness and was subsequently drafted into the U.S. Army. After his service, he completed his degree at ISU. Carl worked in agricultural sales for various companies and served as a farm financial advisor for Farm Bureau.

The couple was blessed with two children, Beverly and Michael. They cherished family time on camping trips, notably to Colorado and the Black Hills, where Carl often took on the role of chief cook and bottle washer.

As a couple, Carl and Reatha actively engaged in square dancing and participated in various marriage enrichment activities, including Marriage Encounter and Cursillo. Carl had a passion for woodworking, crafting Adirondack chairs, loveseats, gliders, games, and puzzles, which he often gifted to others and occasionally sold.

Growing up, Carl always attended church. Following his marriage to Reatha, they became regular attendees at the United Methodist Church wherever they lived. In later years, Carl developed a friendship with an old family friend, Kay Herring. Together they founded the Adventures in Wilderness Education Program at Nine Eagles State Park near Lamoni, Iowa, and created the Wild Prairie Puppet performances.

Carl’s legacy includes his two children, Beverly (Jeffrey) Lloyd and Michael (Karla) Evans, twelve grandchildren: Scott Lloyd, Jennifer (Bryant) Kaiser, Kimberly Campbell, Wendy (Justin) Botterbrodt, Michael (Emily) Lloyd, Christine (Tyler) Curtis, Nathan (Mollie) Lloyd, Luke Evans, Benjamin (Sara) Evans, Elisabeth (Kyler) Meyers, Gabriella Evans, Jared Evans, and twenty great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Johnston Halfpap, his special friend, Kay Herring, and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Anna May Evans, and his wife Reatha.

Memorials may be directed to Valley View Village Chapel Renovation or Hospice of the Midwest. Funeral service will take place at Valley View Village in their Chapel (2571 Guthrie Ave, Des Moines, IA 50317), Friday, May 23, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. Family will greet guests one hour prior to the service. A private family burial will be held at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

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