Evelyn McBurney

May 16, 1930 - September 28, 2017

Evelyn McBurney, 87, of Oskaloosa, died Thursday, September 28, 2017, at Good Samaritan Center in Ottumwa. She was born Wednesday, May 16, 1930, in Albia, the daughter of Elmer and Stella Bain Mika. She graduated from Eddyville High School with the Class of 1947. Evelyn worked for a time as a telephone operator, an aide at Mahaska Hospital and later as a Mary Kay consultant. On February 18, 1950, Evelyn married Warren McBurney in Oskaloosa. She helped Warren farm for many years, first near Tracy and later in Cedar. In 1996, when they retired from farming Evelyn and Warren moved to Oskaloosa. Evelyn attended Cedar United Methodist Church in Cedar and Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa. She was a United Methodist Women’s member and often welcomed meetings in her home. She was also a member of the Red Hats Society. Evelyn enjoyed shopping, traveling to Texas, bartering in Mexico, gardening, canning, making tea rings and giving them as gifts, baking pies and hunting for bargains. But most of all, Evelyn cherished her family. She is survived by her two sons: Terry (& Patricia) McBurney of Cedar and Gary (& Dana) McBurney of Owasso, Oklahoma; a daughter: Denise (& Scott) Johnson of Oskaloosa; five grandchildren: Kendra (& Jim) Gelinas, Cory (& Liz) McBurney, Ashley McBurney, Jessica Johnson and Jadra Johnson; three great grandchildren: David Gelinas, Kate Lynn McBurney and Natalie McBurney; two sisters: Mildred Patrick of Oskaloosa and Wanda (& James) Glentzer of Des Moines; and a brother: Mervin (& Rosalee) Mika of Indianola. She was preceded in death by her husband: Warren McBurney; who died on August 23, 2013, her parents; a sister: Lavina Kelsey; and a grandson: Andrew McBurney. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 2, 2017, at 2 P.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Bruce Wittern officiating. Burial will be in Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Visitation will begin Monday, October 2, 2017, after 12 P.M. in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be present at the funeral chapel from 12 P.M. until service time at 2 P.M. Memorials may be made to the MHP Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa.