Obituary of Thomas Evers

Tom is survived by five children, including Steven Evers (Michele) of Canton, MI, Sandra Evers Whitman (Michael) of Waukesha, WI, Susan Evers Klingbiel of Verona, WI, Thomas Evers (Tara) of Sugar Grove, IL, Mary Evers Statz (Martin) of Madison, WI, and; two step children, Sara Silver Traband (Tyler) of Wauwatosa and Dr. Rhett W. Silver of Colorado; twelve grandchildren, including Edward, Marie and Miranda Evers, Joseph and Kristen Klingbiel, Traci, Brian, Kelly and Daniel Evers, Maya Statz and Simone and Sawyer Traband; brothers Dr. Robert N. Evers (Betty) of Vero Beach, FL and John E. Evers of Hamden, CT.; mother-in-law Genevieve M Gratz of Libertyville, IL; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Stella Cunningham Evers (1974) and Edward John Evers (1982), his first wife, Mary Lou Hesselmann Evers (1985), his sister Mary Jane (Dolly) Evers Schuster (2007) and his second wife, Margaret Audrey Evers (2009). Born on January 14, 1935, in Dyersville, Iowa, he graduated from Xavier High School in Dyersville in 1952. Following two years of military service with the U.S. Army in Korea from 1953-55, Tom graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing in June of 1959. Initially in sales, Tom's early career moves resulted in family relocations to communities in Iowa, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Subsequent marketing management and executive positions with Swift, Weyerhaeuser, L'Eggs Products, Nefco (Frito-Lay), L. M Becker Co. and Columbian Artworks involved extensive national travel. Tom was a member of several professional organizations, including the Milwaukee chapter of Sales and Marketing Executives. A University of Iowa football season ticket holder for decades, Tom always managed to support the Hawkeye's at home games regardless of where he was living or traveling. Interests included spending quality time with his grandchildren, especially his special little pal Simone; "golf, golf, and more golf", serving in the Stephen Ministry at St. Therese Catholic Church in Wauwatosa, volunteering with the Wauwatosa School District's Mini Business World, and attending educational, social, cultural, and athletic events at Wauwatosa West High School, where his wife Audrey served as principal from 1990-2000. He and his wife shared a passion for world travel. Tom was particularly gratified that among their numerous global adventures, he had climbed the Great Wall of China, explored by camel the Great Pyramids of Giza, and prayed at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem. An unpretentious, gregarious man with a contagious smile and irrepressible sense of humor, Tom enjoyed life to the fullest and shared his enthusiasm and optimism with everyone he met. He leaves a legacy of integrity, compassion for others, and the ability to strike up a conversation ad connect with people from all walks of life and diverse cultures. The family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Norton and Dr. Jeffery Zigun for their unwavering support and exemplary medical care throughout Tom's long illness and the compassionate and competent staffs at Lighthouse/New Perspective of Brown Deer and Allay Hospice, with special appreciation to nurse, Arlene and Margaret of Rent a Daughter. The family will receive friends and relatives at Becker Ritter Funeral Home, 14075 W. North Ave., Brookfield, from 1pm to 3pm on Wednesday July 29, 2009, followed by a celebrations of Tom's life at 3pm. A Visitation will take place in Dyersville Iowa on Friday July 31, 2009 at Kramer Funeral Home, 103 5th St. SE, from 9am to 10am followed by a procession to the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier for the Mass of Christian burial at 10:30am. Interment to follow at St. Francis Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tom's name to the Lutheran Home Adult Day Services Program, the Alzheimer's Association of Southeastern Wisconsin, Neurosciences Research Fund at Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, or Allay Hospice would be appreciated.