Obituary of Evelyn Link

Evelyn was born on the family farm near Winthrop, Iowa on October 21, 1909, the daughter of George and Mary Margaret "Molly" (Ernster) Kinney. She attended the area country schools and graduated from high school at the age of sixteen. Evelyn married Emil J. "Jack" Link on September 18, 1930 at St. John's Church in Independence, Iowa. He preceded her in death on January 1, 1990. For several years, Evelyn and Jack managed a restaurant in Dyersville. She then helped her husband establish and operate Jack Link Truck Line. For many years Evelyn ran a popcorn/snow cone stand at surrounding area fairs, parish picnics, and at the Dyersville Commercial Club Park during the semi-pro baseball games and tournaments. Evelyn was a lifetime member of the Dyersville Golf and Country Club and the Dyersville Sportsman Club. Her interest over her many years included bowling, boating, fishing, and family time spent at their cabin on Lake Delhi. She and her husband enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and spent many winters in Florida as "Snow Birds". Evelyn especially enjoyed their trip to Ireland in 1980 to help celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary. She was grateful to God for her good health and in turn volunteered for many years at Mercy Medical Center and did "Nails & Tales" at Oak Crest Manor, both in Dyersville. Evelyn displayed her spirituality in her everyday life, interactions and good deeds. She looked over us all. We knew if we ever needed prayers for troubles in our lives, Mom was the one we turned to. She will be forever remembered and loved. Until we see each other again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. Evelyn's passion was volunteering with various organizations in order to help others. She was instrumental in organizing the Girl Scout Program in Dyersville, and served as a troop leader and Neighborhood Chairman for many years. Many Girl Scout Day Camps were held in Jack and Evelyn's acreage near Dyersville. She enjoyed nature and loved to sit and watch the wildlife in her backyard, and was able to do her own yard work well into her 90's. She was an animal lover, especially dogs and horses. There was always a pet in her home. Many weekends she and her husband and family would ride their horses on trail rides with the Dubuque County Saddle Club. Evelyn had a lifelong quest for knowledge-knowledge about her church and her world. Her favorite book genres included history, religion and mystery reading. She was very knowledgeable about current affairs, read two newspapers daily, and loved to work crossword puzzles. Evelyn was a mother to John, Jane and Helen, who treasured their mother's love. Those left to cherish her memory include her two daughters and their husbands - Jane and Jim Recker of Dyersville and Helen and Tom Blosch of Dubuque, IA. Evelyn loved her children's spouses who became her children also. Evelyn was blessed with 16 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren: Mike (Ann) Link, Jim (Judy) Link and children, Ryan, Lindsey and Rachel; Tammy (Tom deceased) Link and children, Damian, Steffen, Kyle, Bianca and Lauren; Bill (Connie) Link and sons, Dylan and Owen; Chris (Nicole) Link and children, Landon, Lainey, Jackson and Vanessa; and John (Emily) Link and daughter, Ella all of Dyersville; Vicky (Phil) Lindauer and children, Zachary and Mya of Epworth; Tracy Nicholson, son Colin and special friend Kevin McNiel of Elkton, MD; Terry (Amy) Recker and children, Lucas and Alizabeth of Dyersville; Peggy (Ryan) O'Connell and children, Katherine, Evan and Mary Fran of Epworth; Brian Recker and Adam Recker of Dubuque, Steve (Virginia) Blosch, daughter Morgan and another great grandchild expected in February all of Arlington Heights, IL; and Tim and Jamie Blosch and Tim's children, Kayla, Alex and Jaison of Dubuque. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews. Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jack, a son, John and his wife Mary Susan (Danz) Link, three grandchildren: Tom Link, Mark Blosch and Mary Pat Blosch, three brothers and four sisters and many other relatives. Friends may call from 3 - 8 p.m. Thursday, September 30, 2010 at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a parish scripture service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friends may also call from 9 -10 a.m. Friday before funeral services. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 1, 2010 at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa. Burial will be in St. Francis Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Dennis Quint. The family would like to thank all those who helped to care for our mother the last six years.