Evelyn Elizabeth Ankrum

Born to John and Amelia Schmidt on Sept. 15, 1925 in her grandparents’ home near Fessenden N. Dakota, Evelyn was the first of 13 children. She died on Sept. 1, 2019 in Mesa Az.

Evelyn earned a teaching certificate from Minot State Teachers College and taught country school until marrying R. Kenneth Ankrum on Nov. 3, 1946 in N. Dakota. In 1951 Ken and Evelyn moved to southeast Minnesota eventually settling in Waseca where they raised their family. They became active participants in a start-up EV Free church where Evelyn was a church pianist, organist, and Christian educator. She was well known for her generous hospitality.

In 1971 they moved to Longmont, Colorado where, once again, they actively engaged in their church and community. She became a Longmont United Hospital volunteer, a Welcome Wagon lady, and took on key leadership roles in the Christian Women’s Club. She was the family construction business bookkeeper as well. In 1995 they moved permanently to Apache Junction Arizona.

Evelyn was an avid Scrabble player and daunting competitor, was talented in small crafts and arts, loved crossword and jigsaw puzzles, was a voracious reader, and spirited conversationalist.

Following the death of her husband of 66 years in 2013, Evelyn relocated to senior independent living in Mesa, Arizona. She is survived by her children; Vaunette Alrick (Wes) of Stewartville Minn., Benjamin (Rosemary) Ankrum of Falcon Colo., Richard Ankrum of Erie, Colo., 7 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 4 sisters; Bea Stickland of Boise, Idaho, Amy Lamm of Fessenden N. Dakota, Cathy Hunnekens of Ocala Fl., Margaret Oakland of Lake Mills Iowa, 4 brothers; Lyn Schmidt of Wahpeton N. Dakota, Allen Schmidt of Walhalla N. Dakota, Loren Schmidt of Fessenden N. Dakota, Arlo Schmidt of Northwood N. Dakota as well as many, many nieces and nephews.

Memorial service to be held at 2pm on Saturday, September 7th 2019 at Grace Church Mesa Az. (8701 E. Brown Rd.)

Interment to follow at a later date in Longmont Colorado.

Mortuary services by Horizon Funeral Care of Mesa Az.