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Evelyn Sissel

Evelyn Sissel

  • May 12, 1915 - December 15, 2011
  • Kellerton, Iowa
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“I worked several summers for Glen and Evelyn always had a big noon meal ready for us when we came in from the field. She was a very gracious and...Read More » ”
1 of 10 | Posted by: Jim Sissel - Creston, IA

“I had the pleasure to assist Evelyn a time or two. She was one of the most delightful people that I have ever known. Many a time, we meet people that...Read More » ”
2 of 10 | Posted by: Eric - Lenox, IA - Nurse

“The Acute Care Staff at Ringgold County Hospital would like to extend our sympathy and want you to know how much we all enjoyed taking care of Evelyn. ”
3 of 10 | Posted by: Denise Coleman - Bedford, IA

“God has our whispering angel now. Prayers with each of you in your loss. ”
4 of 10 | Posted by: Charlotte Pearce - Blockton, IA

“Suzanne, Growing up, your mom was like a mother to most all of us. What a kind and selfless person. Sympathies to you and Wayne. Steve ”
5 of 10 | Posted by: Steve Padgitt - Ames, IA - Friend

“I remember Aunt Evelyn with a great deal of fondness. When I was young my family would travel to the farm several times a year, usually for a big...Read More » ”
6 of 10 | Posted by: Jon Watson - Canton, MI - Nephew

“Evelyn has been a beautiful gift to her family, her community, her church, and all that knew her. She brought out the best in all of us by her sweet...Read More » ”
7 of 10 | Posted by: Ernie & Judy Mercer - Kellerton, IA

“Evelyn has been a beautiful gift to her family, her community, her church, and all that knew her. She brought out the best in all of us by her sweet...Read More » ”
8 of 10 | Posted by: Ernie & Judy Mercer - Kellerton, IA

“Evelyn has been a beautiful gift to her family, her community, her church, and all that knew her. She brought out the best in all of us by her sweet...Read More » ”
9 of 10 | Posted by: Ernie & Judy Mercer - Kellerton, IA

“Wayne, Suzanne and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I will always cherish the good times we had growin up as...Read More » ”
10 of 10 | Posted by: Peggy Combs Worthington - IA


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Evelyn Grace Pollard Sissel was born May 12, 1915, at home in Derby, Iowa, and passed away December 15, 2011 at the Health Care Center in Mount Ayr, Iowa at the age of 96 years. Evelyn was the oldest child of Grover C. and Kizzie Griffin Pollard. Howard Dean Pollard and Ferne Louise Pollard Gleason were her siblings.
In 1930 the family moved from Derby, IA, to Eagleville, MO, where she graduated from Eagleville High School in 1932. After graduation, she attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College at Kirksville, MO. The family moved to Kellerton, IA, in the fall of 1933, and opened Pollard's Grocery. When she returned from college, she helped her father with the store and taught piano lessons. The family grocery celebrated 26 years of business in Kellerton.
On September 16, 1939, she married Glen Sissel at the Little Brown Church in the Vale, at Nashua, IA, and they made their home on a farm south of Kellerton for 12 years. Two daughters were born: Suzanne Louise and Jane Ellen. After Glen's father's death in 1951, they moved to the home place and lived happily there for 45 years. When Glen's health began to deteriorate, they moved from the family's Century farm into Kellerton in July 1996. Glen passed away in September 2001. They celebrated 62 years of marriage. In September of 1998 they were saddened by the death of their daughter, Jane Ellen.
Evelyn was very active in church, school, community, and social organizations. She began her faith as a member of the United Methodist Church in Derby IA. She played the pump organ for the Epworth League Youth Group, and she played the piano for church and Sunday school in every town in which they lived. She has been a Sunday School Superintendent, P.T.A. President, Band Boosters President, United Methodist Women's Society President, and a 4-H helper. She was member of the Eldeen Club, and her neighborhood O & E Club. She also was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and was their pianist for 13 years.
Family life was important to her, and she always had time for her children, grandchildren, her great grandchild, nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed visiting with neighbors. Whenever they stopped by they always enjoyed a cookie, some tea, and good conversation. She loved growing flowers, particularly hybrid iris and African violets. She loved working out of doors in the garden or her flower beds, and she helped with farming whenever she could.
She is the last of her immediate family. Her parents, Grover and Kizzie; brother, Howard; sister, Ferne; her husband, Glen; her daughter, Jane Ellen; and a nephew, Stephen Gleason, have all preceded her in death.
She is survived by her daughter and husband, Suzanne and Wayne Brown of Pleasant Hill, IA, son-in-law, David Smith, of Maryville, MO, two granddaughters, Andrea Smith of St. Joseph, MO, and Cynthia Brown Miller (Kevin) of Des Moines, IA; one great-grandson, Jack Miller; three nephews: Christopher Gleason (Dianne) of Hot Springs Village, AR, John Watson (Judy) of Indianola, IA, Jim Watson (Ramona) of Des Moines, IA; six nieces: Laura Kay Warner and Deanna Mellow (Ron), of Merced, CA; Carolyn Watson of Carlise, IA, Cathryn Potter of West Lafayette, IN, Betty Joyce James (Dee), and Evelyn Mae Jepson (Don) of Douglas, WY, two cousins: Elma Newman of Omaha, NE, and Marguerite Breithaupt of Corvallis, OR, numerous other relatives and many friends.
Memorials are to the Kellerton United Methodist Church and Mount Ayr Health Care Center.