Evelyn Kay Denzin

URBANA - Evelyn Kay Denzin, 83, of Springfield died at 9:39 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 4, 2024) at home.

Evelyn was born on Dec. 25, 1940, in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Lisle Veron and Agnes Effie (Wright) Hurlbut.

She lived on her parents' farm and attended North Liberty First United Methodist Church. Her parents moved to Iowa City in 1952. She attended school in Iowa City, graduating from University High School in 1959. After high school, Evelyn graduated from the University of Iowa in 1963 in home economics. After graduation, she worked as a research technician in nutrition and foods at the University of Iowa. She was married in 1963 to Norman Denzin and later divorced in 1979. She moved to Urbana in 1966, where her two daughters were born. The family spent two years in California in the Berkeley area from 1969-1971. Evelyn took graduate classes in child development at the University of Illinois. In 1978, she began working at the Children's Center Day Care at Urbana First United Methodist Church, first as a part-time teacher and then lead teacher. She eventually became assistant and later full director of the center. Evelyn retired in June 2006. Evelyn joined Wesley United Methodist Church in 1977. She served as a Sunday school teacher and served on the education, family ministries and discipleship committees. After retirement, she was active with the United Methodist Women serving as president and as the representative to Church Women United. Evelyn participated in the Mary-Martha Circle, the Monday Morning Book Group and various other study groups. She was talented at sewing and dressmaking, and she was an avid gardener with a particular love for hydrangeas, hostas and native wildflowers. She loved to read and enjoyed watching British murder-mystery shows. She also enjoyed traveling and exploring antique shops and craft sales.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Lisle and Agnes Hurlbut of Iowa City.

She is survived by her daughters, Johanna Denzin (Steve Halenda) of Columbia, Mo., and Rachel Denzin (Craig Steenerson) of Springfield; granddaughters, Sylvia Maehr of Detroit and Naomi Maehr of Washington, D.C.; grandsons, Max Bradley of Cambridge, Mass., and Owen Bradley of St. Louis; sister, Shirley Wyciskalla (Richard, deceased) of Iowa City; and nephews, Andy Wyciskalla of Iowa City and John Wyciskalla (Ann) of Holmen, Wis.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association or the Wesley Foundation Building Fund (Wesley United Methodist Church).

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Family is being served by Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. Sixth St., Springfield. Please visit butlerspringfield.com to offer your condolences.