Evelyn Marie Roberts

     Evelyn Marie (Hayden) Roberts, the daughter of William Clark and Eva Augusta (Schrader) Hayden, was born April 29, 1921 in Audubon, Iowa, and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 13, 2022, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 101 years, 7 months, and 14 days.

     Evelyn was baptized and confirmed in the First United Methodist Church in Audubon, Iowa. She attended the Audubon Community Schools graduating with the High School Class of 1939. Evelyn then was employed at Chaney’s Jewelry Store and later worked at the Farm Bureau.

     On March 9, 1942, she was united in marriage to Perry Junior Roberts in Audubon, Iowa. They were blessed with three children, Julie, Carolyn, and John. Perry enlisted United States Army Air Corps on August 27, 1942. While in the service Perry’s father died and his mother, Marie and Evelyn operated Robert’s Produce. When Perry returned to the States, Evelyn joined him and was stationed at Albuquerque, New Mexico and later in Victorville, California. Perry was honorably discharged on October 4, 1944, they returned to Audubon. Evelyn then worked part time with her husband as he continued as a partner with his brother, Oliver Roberts, at Roberts Feed & Seed and Roberts Rural Supply, later known as Robco, Inc.

Evelyn was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Audubon. She served as a past circle leader, helped in Bible School, served on various committees and sang in the choir for a number of years She was a Past Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star and a past president of P.E.O. Chapter BJ, of which she was a member for 71 years. 

     Evelyn is survived by her children, Julie Kay (Roberts) Soucy and husband, James of Daytona Beach, FL, Carolyn Bruun and husband, Gregory of Audubon, and John Perry Roberts and wife, Jan of Audubon. Her sister Mary (Hayden) Stevens, Carroll of IA. Her grandchildren, Christine Lynn (Frank) Pozzi and husband, Chase of Ridgefield, WA, William Michael Frank of Daytona Beath, FL, Charles David Frank and wife, Emily of Douglasville, GA, Matthew Noel Olesen and wife, Melanie of Alexander, AR, Sarah Ann (Olesen) Asmus and husband, Stephen of Audubon, Aaron Perry Roberts and special friend, Chelsea Pozesny of Guthrie Center, IA, Joanna Christine Roberts and special friend, Sean Card of Yukon, OK. Fourteen great grandchildren, six step great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

     Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years Perry Roberts; her parents, her brother, Glen William Hayden and wife, Julia, an infant twin brother and sister, her parents-in-law, Samuel Perry and Ellen Marie Roberts, brother-in-law, Oliver Roberts, and wife, Florence, and brother-in-law, Fred J. Stevens.

     There will be a private Celebration of Life Memorial Service at a later date. The family requests that memorials go to Exira Care Center or St. Croix Hospice in Panora, IA.