Obituary: Evelyn Urban, 90, of Fountain

Evelyn Urban

Obituary: Evelyn Urban, 90, of Fountain

Evelyn Urban, beloved wife of Walter Urban, passed away into eternal life on November 13, 2023 at the age of 90.  Evelyn Jean Genson was born the oldest child of Warren and Mary (Garland) Genson of Ludington on March 23, 1933.

Married on July 31, 1954, Wally and Evelyn celebrated 69 years together. They lived in their Fountain home for more than 60 years, creating a welcoming place for family and friends.

Along with her husband Wally, Evelyn will be greatly missed by her three daughters and two sons: Lorraine (Kenny) Baushke, Carolyn (Steve) McVicker, Tom (Renee) Urban, Larry (Sherrie) Urban, and Suzi (Robert) Panetta.  Evelyn joyfully welcomed 14 grandchildren; Amanda (Josh) Yelenick, Sam (Claire) Baushke, Hannah (Steve) Newell, Garett Urban, Kyle (Marina) Urban, Ben (Anne) Urban, Matthew Urban, Nathan Urban, Anna (Jay) Oliynyk, Andrew (Faith) Panetta, Chandler (Katie) Panetta, Logan (Kendall) Paneeta, Heather (Chris) Vanderhaag, and Adam (Sheryl) McVicker; seven great-grandchildren Leo and Hazel Baushke, Elise, Brynn, and Caleb Newell, and Jack and Cole Vanderhaag. As a grandmother, her best gift to each grandchild was a yearbook of Urban family photos and memories, creating more than 300 little books of life and love.

Evelyn was the oldest of five siblings: Helen (Charles) Williams, Alice (Charles) Wallace, Bob (Sue) Genson, and Sally Tushek.  Bob and Sally survive and Sally and Evelyn were especially close.  Evelyn will also be remembered by 29 nieces and nephews and numerous cousins.

Evelyn loved gardening, especially berries, sharing the fruit and her plants, and canning the produce.  She grew raspberries until she was 86.  She excelled in making cookies for everyone, and could feed thirty people “real food” without notice.  A pot of soup, a batch of cookies, and a visit to the sick was her trademark way to help others.  Evelyn was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer for over 60 years, teaching CCD classes and leading middle school and high school programs.  She worked as a switchboard operator after graduating from Ludington High School with the class of 1952.  She also worked as a cashier for A&P, was a caregiver at the Scottville Nursing Home, a waitress/cook at Fountain Tavern and at Johnny’s before finding her niche in the floral business.  She co-owned and managed Flowers by Lorraine with her daughter Lorraine from 1976-1996, employing multiple family members over the years.  After retirement, Evelyn enjoyed working part-time at Walmart for 19 years, retiring for a second time at the age of 86.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Evelyn at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 25 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Custer with Rev. Daniel DePew as Celebrant.  Burial will follow at Sugar Grove Cemetery.  Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at the church.  Those who wish to remember Evelyn with a memorial donation are asked to please consider the Alzheimer’s Association.

Please visit Evelyn’s memory page at www.wymanfuneralservice.com to share a memory or tribute of Evelyn with her family.