Evelyn Duckworth

Evelyn Duckworth, 91, of North Platte, passed away at the North Platte Care Center on Wednesday, November 6, 2019.

Evelyn was born March 21, 1928, at Stratton, Nebraska, to Carl and Stella Felker and grew up in Trenton. The youngest of 10, she reminisced of life on the farm, "mama's" fresh baked bread, coyote hunts with the greyhounds, and reading by the furnace in their home. She went on to graduate from Trenton High School in 1945.

In 1947 Evelyn married Keith Bowen. They lived in several Nebraska communities, raised five children, and later divorced. Evelyn was hardworking and had various jobs; her first, as a young girl, was cooking for the farm crew. She later worked at a grocery store and bank, sold Avon and Beeline Fashions then opened her own shop, "The Back Door Card and Gifts".  She also cleaned houses, managed a motel, and worked as a secretary to name a few.

Evelyn moved to North Platte from Kearney and rekindled a romance with her high school boyfriend, Stanley Duckworth. She and Stanley were married on October 9, 1998, and enjoyed the past 21 years together here in North Platte. They were members of the First United Methodist Church and could be seen outside working in the flower gardens of the church together.

Special, thoughtful, fun, sensitive, sweet, a gift; are some of the ways Evie has been described. She loved God, her husband, Stan, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and her many friends, as well as her church, flowers, gardening, snow, Nebraska, the Huskers, puzzles, scrapbooks, music and words; reading, writing and sharing words of wisdom and encouragement with others. "Just do your best" is an expression she shared and lived by.

Along with her husband, Stanley, Evelyn is survived by her children and their families: Son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Luann Bowen of Elm Creek, and their children: Travis (Elisa) Bowen and their children Ameilia and William; Shannon (Curt) Hineline and their children, Mikhail, Owen and Riley; Nicholas (Michaela) Bowen and their children Landon and Carter; Chelsea (Jon) Sullivan and their children, Jadia, Gianna and Porter; and Jocelyn (Lance) Blythe and their children, Camden, Ariana and Haven. Son, Jim Bowen of Bertrand, and his children: Tessa Bowen; Alex (Laura) Bowen and their children, Kinzley and Adelynn; and Hayley Bowen. Son and daughter-in-law, John and Darla Bowen of Phoenix, Arizona, and their son Connor Bowen. Daughter and son-in-law, Jana and Jim Jameson of Beatrice, and Jana’s children: Christopher (Erica) Arehart and their children Drew, Mallory and Cooper; Lindsay (Rickey) Washington and their children, Ariah and Julia; Brandi Jourdon and her children Garrett, Hayden and Myles; Ashley Washburn and her children, Carson, Tynli and Olivia; Monica (E.J.) Jones and their children MaLiaya, BriLeigh, KiLynn and Tripp; and stepdaughter Stacy (Ryan) Ideus and their daughter, Violet. Daughter Julie Bowen Walston of Ridgecrest, California, and her children: Whitney (David) Haefele; Chloe Walston; and Parker Walston.

Survivors also include her special friends, Lisa and David Fudge, Shawn and Becca Moss, Leona Killham, Doris and Rex Cross, and Greg and Michelle Kring, all of North Platte; stepdaughter, Susan and husband, Alvin Teegarden, of Middletown, Indiana and their children: Savannah (Brad) Whitlock, Clinton (Samantha) Teegarden and Donna Teegarden; step-granddaughter, Megan (Brady) Fraley; as well as many other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Stella Felker; sisters, Avilda Felker and Irma and husband, Tom Spears; brothers, Barney, Bill, Foster, John, Harry, Stewart ‘Doc’ and Forrest ‘Frosty’ Felker; son-in-law, Robert Arehart; granddaughter, Shauna Arehart; and stepsons, David and Tom Duckworth.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Friday, November 15, 2019, at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Douglas A. Delp officiating. Burial will follow at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday with family greeting friends from 4-6 p.m. at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to First United Methodist Church.