Evelyn Kovarik

Evelyn Kovarik, age 82, of Spillville, IA died Monday, August 13, 2012 at the Winneshiek Medical Center in Decorah, IA. Memorial Service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 2012 at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville with Rev. Donald Hawes presiding. Visitation will be from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Friday. August 17, 2012 at the Balik Funeral Home with a rosary at 4:00 and a scripture service at 5:00 there will also be visitation after 10:00 at the church on Saturday. Evelyn elected to donate her body to science at the Mayo Anatomy Department in Rochester, MN, following the example of her mother Rose. Evelyn Veronica (Macal) Kovarik was born September 25, 1929 to William and Rose (Lukas) Macal on the family farm near Ridgeway, IA, attending the country school near the home farm. Evelyn married Victor Kovarik June 27, 1949 at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville. Evelyn and Victor’s family of seven children kept Evelyn busy managing the household in the early part of their marriage. Later Evelyn worked at the Cliff House and the Armory restaurants in Decorah, IA. She also drove bus for the South Winneshiek School District and worked in food service at Luther College in Decorah, IA. Her love of her grandkids and great grandkids didn’t stop there, she had an extended family consisting of people met through her baby sitting and caring for friends. Though Evelyn had a schedule that kept her busy managing the family household, she found the time to attain her GED, enjoy a good walk, coffee with friends, quilting, reading, baking, cooking and enjoyed taking care of numerous family pets over the years. Evelyn was a member of FCSLA, Catholic Daughters, Spillville Legion Auxiliary and St Wenceslaus Catholic Church. Evelyn is survived by her husband: Victor, Spillville, IA. Four daughters: Patricia (Bob) Skemp, Hazel Green, WI, Faith (Jerry) Lacey, Spillville, IA, Amy (Reg) Bakken, Decorah, IA and Nadine (Jeff) Wreghitt, Hampton, IA. Three sons: Alan Kovarik, Spillville, IA, Steve (Karen) Kovarik, Cambridge, IA and William (Pam) Kovarik, Calmar, IA. Fifteen grandchildren: Gregory (Stacy) Skemp, Michael (Jen) Skemp, Jeffrey (Meghan) Skemp and Jennifer Skemp, Amanda (Troy) Bee, Melanie Lacey (Jack Christensen), Beth and Jacob Lacey, Christopher Bakken, Nicholas, Jeremiah, Zachariah and Keith Kovarik, Jasmine and Victoria Wreghitt. Ten great-grandchildren Bryce Skemp, Raven and Brock Horstman, Zoe Bee, Liam Lacey, Kelsey, Olivia and Tyler Bakken, Savanna Schwartz and Ezra Phillips. Two brothers: Roy (Imogene) Macal, Decorah, IA and Leonard (Doris) Macal, Cresco, IA Two sisters: Irene Haskovec, Protivin, IA and Helen (Henry) Schwartz, Seattle, WA. Sister-in-law: Lillian Kafka, New Prague, MN. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents: William and Rose Macal. Son: Michael, in infancy. Sister: Agnes Hellen. Brothers-in-law: Leonard Haskovec and Robert Kafka. Sisters-in-law: Helen (Lester) Melsh, Dorothy (Gene) Meyer, Celia Brom Robinson and Marcella Kovarik.