Evelyn Lay

Evelyn Marie (Hoffman) Lay, longtime Iola resident, passed away May 21, 2025, in Iola, Kansas. She was born December 2, 1928, in Kanopolis, Kansas, at the home of her parents, Michael Joseph Hoffman and Talitha Jane "Jennie" (Clark) Hoffman.

After completing Kanopolis High School in 1946, she attended Brown-Mackie Business College in Salina, Kansas. She met her future husband, Calvin Lay, at the college. He was also studying business and would often visit the dinette at the Woolworth's where Evelyn worked. They were married on September 6, 1947, in Salina. Calvin passed away on January 18, 2021.

Evelyn focused on her roles as a wife and mother while Calvin's career as a retail store manager took the family to several towns. She had many opportunities to use her business skills to help others. Evelyn worked as an underwriter for Western Insurance in Fort Scott and helped open new Gibson Discount stores in Nevada and Macon, Missouri. The family was happy to return to Kansas where she helped open the Gibson Discount (Pamida) store in Iola. After a few years of part-time work as a church secretary and a tax preparer, she worked as an accounting clerk in the Iola City office from 1978 until her retirement in 1992.

Calvin and Evelyn enjoyed over 73 years of good memories together. They toured numerous attractions throughout the United States and Canada. They loved attending local band concerts, Farm City Days, and performances at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center. Calvin and Evelyn danced with the Red Hots Square Dance Club.

Evelyn was a founder of the Iola chapter of the Red Hat Ladies Society. She volunteered as a member of the Allen County Hospital Auxilliary and as a docent at the Iola Jail and Funston Museums. She was a member of the Dirt Diggers Garden Club.

Evelyn was baptized at the Methodist Church as a young child. Before the onset of mobility problems in old age, she and Calvin attended church regularly at Wesley United Methodist Church. They also attended services with good friends at Carlyle Presbyterian Church.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, James Lemons, Arthur Lemons, Henry Hoffman, and Lloyd Hoffman; and sister, Catherine Hoffman.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan (Harold) Martin, and their children, Tammie, Rodger, and Rodney; daughter, Kathy (Gordon) Chard, and their children, Brian and Jessica; Randy (Joyce) Lay, and their children, Melissa and Rebekah; and Vicki (Marion) Williams, and their children, Heather, Shannon, and Clay. She is also survived by fifteen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends.

A funeral service for Evelyn is planned for Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 10:30 AM in the chapel of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, 1883 US Highway 54, Iola, Kansas. Burial will immediately follow at Highland Cemetery. Evelyn's family will greet friends at a visitation just prior to the service, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to Wesley United Methodist Church, and may be left in the care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.