Evelyn Christians

Evelyn Faith Christians, 97, of Kanawha, passed away on September 11, 2025, at the Kanawha Community Home.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the Wright Christian Reformed Church near Kanawha. Burial will take place in the Wright Christian Reformed Church Cemetery, Kanawha.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Monday, September 15, 2025, at the Ewing Funeral Home, Kanawha and will continue one hour prior to services at the church on Tuesday. 

Memorials may be directed to the Kanawha Community Home, 130 W. 6th St., Kanawha, IA. 50447. 

Evelyn Faith DeBoer, the daughter of Harko and Jennie (Holleman) DeBoer, was born on February 3, 1928, in Platte, South Dakota. The 13th of 15 children, she grew up in a family that instilled in her the value of diligence in work, closeness with family and friends, and the assurance of trusting in Jesus for her eternal salvation. When Evelyn was ten, her family moved from South Dakota and continued farming in Hollandale, Minnesota.

Evelyn was united in marriage to Henry A. Christians on January 26, 1949, in Hollandale, and the couple made their home on a farm south of Kanawha for 52 years. Hank and Evelyn farmed and raised 5 children together. Evelyn was a true mother and a steadfast presence for her family. She brought warmth to her home with her love of simple beauty and practical encouragement for others.

In August of 1973, Evelyn graduated with a nursing degree from NIACC in Mason City, Iowa. A conscientious and intuitive nurse, her career at Kanawha Community Home spanned over 30 years. She is remembered by many as a thorough nurse who was gifted in providing patients in her care with both comfort and respect.

Evelyn was well known and loved in the Kanawha community. She was a considerate and loyal sister, aunt, neighbor, and friend. She was a skilled seamstress and a generous host. Evelyn was excellent at helping others feel at ease and welcome in her home. Her coffee pot was always on and her table open for gatherings with family and friends. She especially loved having her family come home for impromptu visits and holidays.

As a grandma and great-grandma, Evelyn continued to be a faithful and loving presence for her family. She made sure to develop unique and intentional relationships with each grandchild, and remained a confidante, example, and encouragement to them throughout her life.

Evelyn was a member of the Wright Christian Reformed Church. She loved her Lord and Savior , making a public declaration by being baptized at age 18, and is now enjoying her eternal home.

Evelyn is survived by her sons and spouses, Stuart and Jean, Marshalltown, Iowa, Bruce and Stephanie, Northfield, Minnesota, and Craig and Arlys, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her daughter-in-law, Donna Christians, Loveland, Colorado, and her daughter and spouse, Lavaun and Ken Wind, Algona, Iowa; her grandchildren, Michelle, Ryan. Leah, Brandon (Kate), Kevin (Anna), Abby (Kurt), Jessica (Jordan), Jenna (Levi), Brett, and Elliott (Abbey); her great-grandchildren, Gavin, Austin, Ashley (Scott), Sammie, David, Paul, Evelyn, Liam, Eli, Harrison, Wittaker, Hank, Julia, James, Henry, Everly, Hazel, Sam, Ezra, Noah and Savannah.

Her sister, Viola Eekhoff, her sister-in-law, Kathy DeBoer, and many nieces and nephews also survive her.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband, Henry (2001), her son, David (2016), her parents, parents-in-law, Al & Abbie, her siblings, Marie, Louise, Harold, Nellie, Esther, Martha, Wendell, Baby DeBoer, Jennie, Harko, Lillian, Pearl and Paul, brothers- and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to the caregivers at the Kanawha Community Home and Hospice of the Heartland for the respectful, personal, and loving care she was given during her time there.