Evelyn “Evie” D. Reiners

Evelyn “Evie” D. Reiners

March 1, 1947 - Jan. 8, 2025

KEARNEY, Neb. - Evelyn “Evie” D. Reiners, age 77, formerly of McCook, Neb. passed away at Brookestone Gardens in Kearney, Neb. on Jan. 8, 2025.

Evelyn was born March 1, 1947 in McCook, Neb. to Edward and Caroline Reiners. She was the youngest of five children. At the early age of five, she contracted polio which led to a lengthy stay at Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colo. Despite this setback that required leg braces and crutches for the remainder of her life, she lived life to the fullest. Her disability did not stop her from doing what she loved.

She was baptized and confirmed in her faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church in McCook, Neb. Evelyn’s faith was of utmost importance throughout the duration of her life. She attended the Lutheran church regularly and was a lifelong Christian. Her faith and love for people shined through in her many talents- knitting and crocheting baby blankets for all of her great nieces and nephews, compiling and typing recipes for the church cookbook, and baking cookies with her sisters for all to enjoy during the holiday season. Her clematis and mandevilla flowers in her yard were beautiful every year!

Evelyn graduated from McCook High School. She attended McCook Community College, then the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, graduating with a teaching degree. After graduation, Evelyn stayed in Lincoln where she embarked on her 45-year career at the University of Nebraska working first as a secretary at the Midwest Regional Media Center for the Deaf and later as an assistant to the director at the Barkley Speech-Language and Hearing Clinic. She witnessed great changes on campus, but it was the many people she worked alongside that she cherished the most.

Evelyn was an avid Nebraska Cornhusker, holding football season tickets for many years. She reminisced about the days she attended football games in dresses and pantyhose, a long time ago! She was a sports enthusiast and continued following Nebraska football and volleyball teams, the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and Tiger Woods.

Evelyn enjoyed returning to the farm every summer during wheat harvest, mowing the farm, and working in her mom’s flower beds. She also cherished the many trips to Estes Park with her siblings in the Fall. Evelyn never missed the chance to play cards- especially pitch. She enjoyed playing BINGO with her friends, crocheting, knitting, cross stitching, planting and tending her flowers and watching birds in her bird bath. She had an amazing collection of Precious Moments. She loved her dogs and the countless snuggles she received from Deedee, Danny, and Mandie, along with the many other dogs at pet therapy. Evie was a passionate Neil Diamond fan, attending numerous concerts throughout the years.

Evie was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Caroline Reiners; brother, James Reiners; and sister, Norma Jean Klein.

Those left to celebrate her life include her sisters, Carolyn (Pete) Keith of Penokee, Kan. and Sandra (Mike) Haskins of Lawson, Mo.; sister-in-law, Wendy Reiners of Indianola, Neb., brother-in-law, Don Klein of McCook, Neb.; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, in McCook, Neb.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, McCook, Neb., with Pastor Lonnie Felcher officiating.

Burial will follow in Ash Creek Cemetery.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home, Monuments and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please visit our website at www.carpenterbreland.com to sign the online guestbook for the family.