Evelyn Louise (Peterson) Ford
Evelyn Louise (Peterson) Ford
Tipton
Evelyn Louise (Peterson) Ford, 89, peacefully entered into eternity on August 25, 2024 while under the care of Wellington Place, Decorah, Iowa. Visitation for Evelyn will take place on Friday, August 30, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton, Iowa. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 30, 2024 at Fry Funeral Home, Tipton. Evelyn will be laid to rest alongside her husband, Dwain Ford, at Tipton Masonic Cemetery following her funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to Friends of the Tipton Public Library and/or Friends of the South Bethel Foundation. Online condolences, memories and photos may be shared at www.fryfuneralhome.com.
Evelyn Louise Peterson was born in Burlington, Iowa, on October 21, 1934, the daughter of Arthur Brinolph and Ruth ‘Alice’ Sophia (Johnson) Peterson. Mediapolis, Iowa was where Evelyn grew up. Evelyn was very proud of her Swedish heritage, having all four of her grandparents being of Swedish descent. Spritz cookies and Ostakaka were holiday favorites.
Evelyn was very involved in high school as editor of the yearbook and newspaper, president of F.H.A and 4-H. She also enjoyed plays and music. After graduating from Mediapolis High School, she attended Iowa Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls and later attended the University of Iowa, earning her bachelor’s degree in teaching. Evelyn met Dwain, her future husband, while selling tickets at a Tipton High School basketball game. While dating they frequented the shows, dances at The Armar Ballroom, picnics, car shows and ball games. On July 8, 1956, Evelyn was united in marriage to Dwain Eugene Ford in her hometown, Mediapolis. Together they had five children, Devin, Dennis, Dean, Danalea, and Denise. Dwain & Evelyn lived for 56 years on a beloved farmhouse on the Old Muscatine Rd before moving to town in 2016. Evelyn taught 2nd and 4th grade at Tipton Elementary School for 23 years. Besides teaching, Evelyn was actively involved with the King’s Daughters Organization, Tri-Sigmas, 4-H, and volunteered with the Friends of the Tipton Public Library. Dwain and Ev were founding members of a local bridge club which continued for over 50 years and spawned many lifelong friendships.
After retirement, she spent long afternoons quilting with her good friends. She was proud to have completed a quilt for each of her cherished grandchildren. Ev and Dwain were loyal fans of the Iowa Women’s Basketball Team, long before it was popular to be so! Her greatest joy, though, was spending time with family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ev and Dwain did not travel far, but they traveled often to cheer on and support the grandkids in their various endeavors. She was also a member and faithful servant at South Bethel United Methodist Church and Rochester United Methodist Church. Ev’s German Chocolate Cake was a coveted item at the annual South Bethel Lord’s Portion Auction and a family favorite!
After Dwain passed, Evelyn spent the remainder of her life in Decorah, Iowa with her daughter, Denise and husband, Matt, before moving to Wellington Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Home. She continued to build friendships and community everywhere she lived with her radiant smile and joyful disposition.
Evelyn is survived by her sons Dennis (Lauri) Ford, Dean (Diane) Ford, daughters, Danalea (Tom) Warrick, and Denise (Matt) Tapscott, 12 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Alice Peterson; father/mother-in-law Norman Sr. and Mary Ford; husband, Dwain Ford; son, Devin Ford, and brother-in-law, Norman (Bud) Ford Jr.