William B. Evans

William B. Evans obituary, Olathe, KS

William B. Evans

William Evans Obituary

Visit the Penwell-Gabel Cremations, Funerals & Receptions - Olathe website to view the full obituary.

William (Bill) B. Evans of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away peacefully on Wed, January 28, 2026 at the University of Kansas Hospital at the age of 89. He was born on May 5, 1936 to Richard J. Evans and Marie (Boettger) Evans at the Farmsteads near Jackson, NE. After graduating from South Sioux City, NE High School, he went on to serve 4 years in the U.S. Navy. Following his active-duty service, he served in the U.S. Naval Reserve and the Iowa Air National Guard, for a total of 33 years of service.

He was a resident of South Sioux City, NE for most of his life, and served as the assistant postmaster for many years. He married Mary Kathleen Krahling on May 6, 1961, after meeting in 1957 on a blind date. They shared 64 wonderful years together.

Bill was a very active member of his community. He served as a member of the South Sioux City School Board for 2 terms, member of church council at St Michael’s Catholic Church, a life member of the Father Trecy Council of the Knights of Columbus, and was active in Cardinal Music Boosters, Athletic Boosters, and Dolphin Swim Club. Bill enjoyed playing softball in local leagues, and caring for his yard and garden. He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Marie Evans, his brother Richard (Ann) Evans, and sisters Joan (Daryl) Schleisman, Phoniel (Gene) Miller, and Janice (Ron) Harder, and sister-in-law Carol (Verdis) Koehlmoos.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Evans, sons Brett (Allison) Evans of Cincinnati OH, Blake Evans of Alexandria, MN, and daughters Beth Bartels of Pella, IA and Brenda (Gavin) Dykstra of Olathe, KS. Bill has 11 grandchildren: Claire, Gwen, Burke, Jack, Bailey, Anne, Madeleine, Drew, Gabe, Ben, and Abigail, and 1 great-grandchild Theo.

Visitation and funeral service will be held in South Sioux City, NE on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Location details will be shared soon.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to one of two organizations doing work that Bill cared about:

The University of Kansas Health System for the benefit of the cardiovascular program. Please make checks payable to Fund Development and send them to the below address. Please include on the check memo line: In memory of William Evans.” Address: Fund Development, The University of Kansas Health System, 11300 Corporate Ave., Mailstop 9241, Lenexa, KS 66219-1374

To submit a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, click here:  St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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