Evelyn M. (Fehr, VanRaalte) Marian, 97, of Freeport passed away Thursday, June 27 at Manor Court, Liberty Village, in Freeport, Illinois where she had been a resident since 2009.
The daughter of Harrison and Dora (Walter) Fehr, she was born on the family farm in Dakota Township on October 2, 1915.
She graduated from Dakota High School in 1933 as class valedictorian, the fact of which she always reminded her sons when their grades failed to meet her expectations. She was also Stephenson County spelling champion when she was in grade school.
She married William A. VanRaalte (Sr.) October 3, 1934 during the depths of the Great Depression. They farmed in the Orangeville area for over 30 years before retiring to Orangeville in 1972.
Widowed for ten years after William's death on November 19, 1973, she worked at Economy Insurance and Orangeville State Bank before marrying Dale Marian on November 25, 1983. They lived in Dakota until 1999 before moving to Freeport.
Besides her first husband, William, she was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Doris VanRaalte, her brother and sister-in-law Donald and Roselyn Fehr and her second husband of 17 years, Dale.
She is survived by her sons, William (Carol) VanRaalte Jr. of Freeport and Alan (Sharon) VanRaalte of Tomahawk, WI; a brother, Ransom (Levon) Fehr of Freeport; special friend Phyllis (Robert) Moring of Cedarville ; two stepchildren, 18 grandchildren and many great and great, great grandchildren.
The service will be held Tuesday, July 2 at 11:00 A.M. at Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Afolkey, where she was a life-long member.
The Reverend David Carr will officiate.
Visitation will be held at the church prior to the funeral beginning at 10:00 AM.
A memorial fund has been established for Alzheimer's research.