Evelyn "Evie" Efferding

Evelyn "Evie" Efferding, 89, passed away on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 at Bethany Home in Dubuque, IA.

Evelyn Lucille Riggs was born on March 3, 1933, in rural Maquoketa, IA, the fifth and youngest child of Leo and Marjorie (Bowman) Riggs. She grew up in the Maquoketa area and attended public schools there. She married Richard Efferding. The couple later divorced. They are parents of Janice, Vickie, Kevin, and Gerald.

She was a dedicated Mother to her children. She was an excellent cook and baker. They loved to come home from school greeted by the aroma of freshly baked bread or cookies.

In 1960 the family moved to Belmont, WI, where they farmed. Evelyn raised a large garden, kept a spotless house, and helped with farm work. They later relocated to Platteville, WI, where all of her children graduated from high school.

After that time, Evelyn also resided in DeWitt, Maquoketa, Bellevue, and Dubuque, IA. She loved flowers, and beautiful flower gardens followed her to wherever she lived. In her spare time she made beautiful needlework gifts for family and friends.

She had a beautiful singing voice and sang in every girls choir in high school. She played the drums in band and later learned to play organ. The radio was always on as she worked around the house.

She loved to travel and was eager to share pictures and stories of her many trips - especially of Alaska.

Evelyn had so much love to give. Thankful for receiving that love are her two daughters: Janice Julson (Watertown, WI), and Victoria Riggs (Arlington, SD). Her grandchildren: Tammy (Tim) Pirkel, Watertown, WI; Chris (Robert) Marsicek, Maple Lake, MN; Kevin (Paula) Byrd, Colorado Springs, CO; Scott (Ashley Larson) Byrd, Huron, SD; Nicole (Paulo) Gutierrez, Madison, WI; and Megan (fiance Brad Meade) Efferding, McFarland, WI.

Great-grandchildren: Ashley (fiance Grant Johnson) Pirkel; Brittney Pirkel; Kenlyn and Landon Marsicek;

Avery, Haley, and Field Byrd; and Alissa and Mylie Byrd. Step-great-grandson Adrian Gutierrez. One sister, Iona Knight, Richland Center, WI. One daughter-in-law, Cheryl Efferding, McFarland, WI. Cherished nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her special friend and companion, Vern Steines. Her two sons, Kevin Efferding (in 1976), and Gerald Efferding (in 2020). Her parents, Leo and Marjorie Riggs, and one brother, LaVern Riggs (in 1932). Two sisters, Earline Galloway and Bertha Mae Watler. Three brothers-in-law, Harold Galloway, C.A. Watler, Jr., and Harold Knight. And  sister- and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Red Schoenthaler. Many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Evelyn's Life will be held on Friday, August 26, at 11 AM at Dawson Funeral Services in Maquoketa. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 prior to the service. Burial services will follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Maquoketa.

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