The Funeral Service for Evelyn L. O'Donnell, age 93 of Keldron, will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, November 27, 2013 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Morristown. Pastor Gerhardt Juergens will officiate with burial in the Hillside Cemetery at Morristown.

Special music will be provided by Sarah Juergens, organist.

Serving as casketbearers are Keith, Kevin, and Devin O'Donnell, Grant, Scott, and Jarred Gerlach, Michele Shoeborn, Stephanie Makin, Sarah O'Donnell, Megan Gerlach, and Kelynda O'Donnell. All of Evelyn's great and great great grandchildren are considered Honorary Bearers.

Evelyn L. Miller was born May 15, 1920 in Sherman Township, Corson County, SD to Louis F. (Doc) and Mabel G. (Aastad) Miller. She and her two sisters and three brothers were raised on the Doc Miller Homestead south of Keldron attended Highland View and Rolling Green elementary schools and graduated from Morristown High School in 1939.

Following high school, she worked at various clerical positions through the WPA program in Morristown and McIntosh. She followed her sister Irma to the Aberdeen area where they provided domestic service for their room and board while attending trade school. Evelyn completed Beauty College and worked in the Ipswich and Aberdeen area for several years. She also worked for a time as a beautician for Franklin Hanson who owned a beauty shop in McIntosh.

On September 29, 1945, Evelyn was united in marriage to John Joseph O'Donnell. The new couple made their home in Morristown where John was a rural mail carrier and farmer. Evelyn became a busy homemaker and the extended family barber and beautician. In the fall of 1949, they moved to Keldron to the Asa and Effie Kempton farm, which they rented until purchasing it in 1961. Four children were born to this union, Dennis in 1946, Steven in 1950, Jeanine in 1951 and Tracy in 1960.

Evelyn always raised a large garden, canning and freezing most of the stores needed for the winter. She loved to sew and made most of her own and the children's clothing for many years. Baking was another favorite activity, making bread, cookies, cake, kuchen, caramel rolls and pies. To supplement her pin money, she sold eggs and cream.

She was a member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Morristown and was active with the Ladies Aide, the church choir and was the organist for a time. Community involvement included membership of the South Country Extension Club holding numerous offices throughout the years. She served on the Election Board in Morristown for a period of time.

After the children were raised, Evelyn rekindled her love for art and took painting classes. She painted in oils, acrylics and water color for many years entering art shows throughout the region which earned many awards and ribbons. She had an eye for color and beauty in the environment. Some of her favorite scenes were the sunrises and sunsets, frost on the trees especially when the sun began to shine, and waves of green wheat blowing in the wind across the hillside.

During retirement years, she learned to golf along with her husband John. They traveled the United States extensively visiting friends and relatives. Travel companions were often her sister Zona and brother in law George Zaltz who accompanied them to England and Ireland on one such occasion.

Evelyn and John were often seen at card parties, dances and local gatherings. They went for long drives to enjoy the country side and visit friends which they continued until entering Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon, July of 2012.

Evelyn passed away on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at Five Counties Nursing Home in Lemmon.

Evelyn is survived by her three sons, Dennis (Fran) O'Donnell, Morristown, SD, Steven (Linda) O'Donnell, Keldron, SD and Tracy (Shari) O'Donnell, Mesa, AZ; one daughter, Jeanine (David) Gerlach, Rapid City, SD; 11 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; one brother, Alden (Martha) Miller, Morristown, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John on August 2, 2013, a great great granddaughter, Presley Frank, two brothers, Clayton and Vernon Miller, and two sisters, Zona Zaltz and Irma Johnson.

A memorial has been established.

Visitation will be on Tuesday from 1:00 to 8:00pm at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon and on Wednesday from 12:00noon to 1:00 at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Morristown.