Evelyn Boosalis

Evelyn N. Boosalis passed away quietly on June 5, 2025, at 103 years of age and a life serving others in devotion to her family, friends, and deeply rooted Greek Orthodox faith. Evelyn was born in Mason City, Iowa, to Greek immigrants, James and Helen (Lalousis) Farmakis. Her siblings, Peter (Daisy )Farmakis, Marina (Kennedy) Cobb, Niki (Michael) Skodan, and Mari Farmakis went on to admirable careers by taking advantage of the opportunity to attend college offered by their father. Evelyn attended two years of business school, but ultimately chose to work side by side with her father in the family's restaurant business.This family first approach would be on display her entire life.
In 1952 Evelyn married a general surgeon from Faribault, Minnesota, Nicholas G. Boosalis. Nick had served as a paratrooper earning a purple heart during WWII, and he always maintained it was Evelyn's captivating smile and genuine kindness that captured his heart. In their first year of marriage Nick and Evelyn successfully sponsored and raised a young nephew, Nicholas G Boosalis, from Greece to become a United States citizen. Children of their own soon followed; their firstborn son, Constantine "Rocky" N. was born, a daughter, Mary Helen, a second son, James N., and identical twins, David (Leah) and Matthew N. The five children were largely raised in the foothills of Porterville, California. During these years motherhood, culinary excellence, and volunteerism became Evelyn's priorities. Missing a Greek Orthodox Community, Nick and Evelyn decided to retire in Fresno, California. Never one to sit still, Evelyn served actively in her church including leadership positions in Philoptochos and Daughters of Penelope. Evelyn's baking prowess became well known and appreciated amongst her friends and neighbors. At any church wedding, baptism, or communal event, Evelyn showed up with her amazing pastries!
Upon Nick's passing in 2002, Evelyn was reunited with her sisters who had all moved to Fresno from various parts of the country to be with her. Ultimately Evelyn and her remaining sister, Mari, spent several satisfying and enjoyable last years near family in Dayton, Ohio. Regardless of location, Evelyn's abiding faith in God ran deep and was the foundation of her love for all. It was, as she often said, the source of her capacity to remain optimistic, to love, and appreciate the beauty of life. As Evelyn often told her children, "I never complain about life's challenges, rather I thank God that he gives me the strength to meet them".Evelyn led with grace, courage, strength, and resilience throughout her life-this is her legacy.
The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Meenakshi Patel and the caring staff of Bethany Lutheran Village, her excellent pulmonary physicians, Dr. Jim Murphy, Dr. Tim Hauser, and their staff at Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Father Anthony Cook, of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Dayton, and dear friend Stacie Rozakis of Dayton.
Along with her parents and siblings, Evelyn is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Nick Boosalis. She is survived by her son Constantine, "Rocky" N.(Vicki) of Porterville,California, Mary Helen (Dr. Tom Olsen) Boosalis, of Oakwood; sons James N.(Evelyn), of Fresno, California, David N.(Leah) of Oakwood, Ohio, and Matthew N. of Cincinnati,Ohio: six grandsons, Nicholas "Dempsey", Casey (HB), Cody, Nicholas and Benjamin Olsen, and Logan Boosalis, and one granddaughter, Maria, and three great grandsons, Constantine, Tyler, and Gage Boosalis.
Funeral Services will be held at St Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, 3450 Irving Avnue South, Minneapolis, at 11:30am Thursday June 12th with visitation beginning at 11am.
Graveside services will be in Faribault, Minnesota, at 2:30pm Thursday June 12th where Evelyn will be laid to rest by her husband. In lieu of flowers the family asks that remembrances be sent to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2219 Orchard St., Fresno, California 93703.