Evelyn Jean Powell Slife of Cedar Rapids, passed from her life of 90 years on May 13, 2018. A visitation for family, friends and neighbors will be held on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.
Evelyn is survived by her four children, Dan Slife (Sunny Story) of Cedar Rapids, Donn Slife (Jill) of Central City, Rebecca Slife Marks of Des Moines and Jim Slife (Carol) of Oshkosh, WI; her grandchildren, Leslie Slife (Kyle) DeBrower, Carly Slife Fleming, Lindsay Marks (Jeff) Blanchard, and Aaron Slife (Brooke); and her great-grandchildren, Jesse Fleming, Emma Fleming, Cameron Nola, and Ethan DeBrower.
She was preceded in death by her husband Howard; older sister, Marion Powell Smith, and a younger brother, Joe Powell.
Evelyn was born August 12, 1927 in Warrenton, NC the daughter of Joseph and Gertrude Downum Powell, and lived her early years in Warrenton. Evelyn was an Honorary Page in the House of Representatives, Session of 1937, Raleigh, NC, but never pursued political activities as an adult. She attended Cradock High School, Portsmouth, VA. While worki...[more]
at a Norfolk, VA, ice cream shop, Evelyn met the man of her dreams and her future, Howard LeRoy Slife, and were married on April 12, 1946 in Portsmouth, VA. Immediately they moved to Howard's hometown of Central City, where they lived until moving to Cedar Rapids in 1959.
Together they shared many hours fishing, gardening, and entertaining friends in their home. Howard passed away on December 8, 2009, but Evelyn continued to live in the family home until moving to RidgeView assisted living in 2016. In 2017 she moved to The Shores assisted living in Pleasant Hill, to be closer to her daughter.
Evelyn was a Life Member of Eastern Star #183. She enjoyed golfing, bowling, gardening, fishing, and was a wonderful cook. After her children were in school, she worked part-time for Kieck's Clothing Store and did volunteer work at Unity Point St. Luke's Hospital. Most of all Evelyn loved to spend time with her family, and devoted her time to them. She was loved by many and will be missed by all.