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Evelyn “Evie” Den Ouden Blankers, 87, Pipestone, formerly of Edgerton died Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Oct. 15 at First Christian Reformed Church in Edgerton.
A private family graveside service was held at Hillside Cemetery in Edgerton prior to the funeral service on Saturday.
Evelyn Helene Den Ouden Blankers was born on July 3, 1935 in Oskaloosa, Iowa to Rev. Herman and Flora (Ezinga) Veldman. When she was young she moved with her family to western Michigan where she lived until the eighth grade when the family moved to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Evie and her family returned to Grand Rapids, Mich. a few years later and she graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1953. Though her family moved frequently as her father took calls from different churches, Evie enjoyed wherever she lived. She moved to Edgerton with her family after high school.
She met Cornie Den Ouden and they were married on March 15, 1955 at First Christian Reformed Church and made their home in Edgerton where they welcomed three children, Rod, Donna and Lyn. Evie played organ at First Christian Reformed Church. After 40 years of marriage Cornie passed on in 1995.
She continued living in Edgerton and working at Fey Industries until 1998 when she retired after over 20 years and married John Blankers. They made their home on the Silver Hills Farm, Pipestone before moving into town where they lived until John died in 2010.
Evie lived in Pipestone until she was admitted to Pipestone Hospital and later Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls.
She was a devout member of Pipestone Christian Reformed Church and believed playing piano was her ministry. She had played during the church service the week before she died. She was also a frequent visitor of Ridgeview Care Center where she played for the residents.
She is survived by her son Rod (Evie) Den Ouden, Rock Hill, S.C.; daughter, Donna (Mike) Muilenburg, Elkhorn, Neb.; daughter, Lyn (Don)_Vande Polder, Kansas City, Mo; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Joanne Huiksen, Grandville, Mich.; step-children, Jerry (Mary) Blankers, Lake Wilson, Judy (Bill) Steuck, Pipestone, Carol (Kim) Hintermeister, St. Cloud, Keith (Lori) Blankers, Maquon, Ill., Sally (Ken) Feuchtenberger, Hancock; 14 step-grandchildren and 34 step-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Cornie Den Ouden; her second husband, John Blankers; her parents, Herman and Flora Veldman; her sister, Elaine Van Dyke and an infant sister.
(Colonial Funeral Chapel)
