Evelyn Opheim

Evelyn Louise Opheim, 91, of West Des Moines, Iowa, formerly of Clear Lake, died Saturday, July 18, 2015, at the Iowa Methodist Hospital, Des Moines.

Celebration of life service for Evelyn will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday July 30, 2015, at the Evangelical Free Church, Clear Lake, with the Rev. David Wiersbe officiating.  Family will greet friends from 9:30 a.m. until time of service.  Burial will be in the Clear Lake Cemetery.  Family suggests memorials to John Stoddard Cancer Center, 1200 Pleasant St., Des Moines, Iowa 50309; Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607 or charity of your choice.

Evelyn was born Feb. 15, 1924 at home in Stanwood, Iowa, the daughter of Christian Henry and Wilhelmine Caroline (Lehrman) Haesemeyer. While in high school she was involved in basketball and music and at the age of 16 won a national vocal contest. She graduated from Stanwood High School in 1941 and from Stephens College in 1943.

Evelyn married Dr. Robert Opheim on June 19, 1945, in Stanwood.  They moved to Des Moines in 1949 where Robert was an oral surgeon. While in Des Moines she was involved in church choir at Trinity Lutheran Church and was president of the Dental Wives Society. In 1964 they moved to Clear Lake where she was involved in Dorcas Society and Progress Club.

Evelyn will be remembered, especially for her gift of hospitality, along with her love of traveling, fishing, flowers, yard work and reading.

Evelyn is survived by her children, Judith Irene (Robert) Griffin, South Salem, New York, Dr. Kent Robert (Barbara) Opheim, Waterloo, Iowa, Carolin Leith (John) Logan, West Des Moines, Dr. Eric Francis (Lisa) Opheim, Grundy Center, Iowa and Sharon Louise Opheim, West Des Moines; 14 grandchildren, Nicol (Ben), Amber (Matt) , Joe (Sandy) , Katherine (Greg), Michael, Mark (Courtney), David (Alexandria), Erin (Jeff), Matt, Mikayla, Olivia, Olivia, Zachary, and Taylor; 14 great-grandchildren, Sophia, Andrew, Caleb, Emerson, Kian, Bode, Reese, Johnna, Max, Stella, Elijah Jace, Titus, Micaiah, and Reagan.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Christian and Wilhelmine; husband, Robert; one sister, Irene Jacob; and two brothers, Wilfred and Carl Haesemeyer.

Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel was in charge of arrangements.