Richard Fairholm "Dick" Evans

1928 - 2012

Funeral services for Richard F. Evans, 84, were conducted by Pastor Rev. Dr. Ronald Yarnell on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. Interment will be held in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Audubon. Honorary Casket Bearers were: Merle Petersen, J.D. Mendenhall, Milo Clemmensen, Paul Rogers, Fred Short, and Dean Kiger. Casket bearers were: Kevin Klever, Jeff Klever, Jay Figgins, Isaac Rushing, Chad Kubicina, and Andrew Johns. The Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon was in charge of the arrangements.
Richard Fairholm Evans, the son of Charles Sr. and Edith Nelson Evans, was born July 18, 1928, in Audubon, and died July 25, 2012, at the Friendship Home in Audubon, at the age of 84 years and 7 days.
Dick was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon. He attended Audubon Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1946. He was employed for the Audubon Advocate-Republican Newspaper for one year before enlisting in the Iowa Army National Guard. He attended the University of Iowa for one year and continued his Guard participation during that year, becoming a full-time Administrative Assistant on Oct. 1, 1948. He progressed through the ranks to become a Master Sergeant and Warrant Officer.
On Dec. 26, 1952, he was united in marriage to Margaret Jespersen. They made their home in Audubon until June of 1960, when the Guard transferred them to Des Moines, for three years. They returned to Audubon in July of 1963, where he went into partnership with Merle Petersen at Petersen-Evans Agency in Audubon. Dick continued to serve in the Iowa Army National Guard until 1983. In 1986, he purchased the business and it became Dick Evans Agency until he retired in 1991.
Dick was very active in the Audubon community. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Audubon, Quarterback Club, Audubon Chamber of Commerce, Audubon Industrial Development Corporation, the American Legion in Audubon, and SEDON. He was a loyal fan of the Audubon Wheelers and the Iowa Hawkeye athletics. In 1984, he was awarded the Chamber of Commerce "Community Service" Award. Dick was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Audubon where he was proud to be one of the oldest lifelong members and served on the session many times.
Dick stayed active playing golf, traveling, and he always looked forward to meeting with his coffee group every morning. He and Margaret spent many winters in Green Valley, Ariz., along with a group of Audubon friends. They traveled to Scotland, Denmark, Hawaii, Florida, Washington D.C., Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia.
Preceding him in death were his grandson Joel Figgins; his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Knud and Dena Jespersen; his brothers: Robert Evans, Charles and wife Margaret Mae Evans; his brothers-in-law: Bruce Burns, Edwin Jespersen, Gerald Jespersen, Russell Jespersen, Donald Jespersen, Curtis Davis, Jr.; his sisters-in-law: Ellen Jensen and Dorothy Roth; his niece Lori Roth; and his nephew Todd Jespersen.
Survivors include his wife Margaret Evans of Audubon; his daughters: Nancy and husband Jim Figgins of State Center; Patti and husband Mike Johns of Olathe, Kan.; Mary and husband Larry Klever of Audubon; his grandchildren: Sarah and husband Chad Kubicina of Fairway, Kan.; Jay Figgins of Dubuque; Jeff Klever of Grimes; Katie Klever of Waukee; Shelby and husband Isaac Rushing of Olathe; Kevin and wife Kelly Klever of Omaha, Neb.; Andrew Johns of Olathe; his sister Dorothy Evans of Honolulu, Hawaii; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law: Harriet and husband Don Lewis of Des Moines; Jane Davis, Darrell Jensen, William P. Roth all of Audubon; Janet Burger of Kansas; Charlene Jespersen of Exira; Dorothy Jespersen of Rogers, Ark.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.