Evelyn Lupke

Evelyn Marion (Engel) Lupke, 98, of St. James died on March 3, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society in St. James.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Sturm Funeral Home in St. James and will continue on Thursday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church-South Branch. A funeral service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church-South Branch, on Thursday, March 7, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, South Branch. Arrangements are with the Sturm Funeral Home in St. James. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Evelyn was born Oct 29, 1925, the first child of Alfred and Marie (Niemeier) Engel. She was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church, South Branch Township, where she remained a member her entire life. She grew up on the family farm in South Branch Township and worked when needed as a hired girl for neighboring farm families.

On June 30, 1948, she married Walter Lupke and they settled on the Lupke home place in South Branch Township. Evie loved farm life! She grew up working outside and never took to the sewing and crocheting her mother tried to teach her. Evie and Walter milked cows, fed hogs, raised crops and kept a large garden.

Walter died in June of 1980. They had been married for 37 years. She was a widow for nearly 44 more years. Following Walter’s death, Evie began her housecleaning business and in 1989 she moved from the farm to a home in St. James. She lived in this home until August of 2023.

Although Evie and Walter had no children of their own, they had many children. Evie lavished her love, affection and support on nieces, nephews, neighbor kids and their families. In return she was to many a much-loved aunt, second mother, a bonus grandmother and great-grandmother. Several girls in her “family” have Evelyn as their middle name. She was the “best man” at a nephew’s wedding. She will be missed by many.

After Walter’s death and moving to town Evie did not sit still. She kept busy working, volunteering and spending time with family, especially her sister, Bernice, and friends. She enjoyed going to coffee, meeting friends and family for lunch, most often at The Hometown, and playing cards. She was an active member of her church and its Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and funeral committee. Evie was also a member of the St. James American Legion Auxiliary.

Evelyn is survived by sister, Harriet Jean Wright of University Place, Wash.; brother, Myron (Sally) Engel; and many nieces, nephews and neighbor kids.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister and brother-in-law Bernice and Warren Quick; and brother-in-law, Thomas Wright.