Evelyn E. Alexander, 85, of Corning, KS, died early Saturday morning, January 31, 2004, at the Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca.

She was born March 19, 1917, on the family farm west of Corning, the daughter of Frank and Dora Kempley Holsapple. Evelyn attended the Mentor School and graduated from the Corning Rural High School in 1935.

On July 31, 1935, she married Frank C. Alexander in Corning. They lived and farmed on her grandfather’s place north of Corning for a year before they moved to their present home, the Alexander homestead south of Corning. They celebrated their 40th, 50th, 60th, and 65th wedding anniversaries.

Evelyn was a member of the United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women at the church, and the Corning Extension Unit for 45 years. In 1947 she and her husband started the Red Vermillion 4-H Club south of Corning. She was the project leader and community leader for 17 years until she had a heart attack in 1960. Evelyn and Frank enjoyed traveling around the United States. They often had family “get togethers.” She did quilting, embroidering, and other sewing, besides gardening and flowers.

Survivors are her husband, Frank, of the home, a daughter, Kay Rethman, Corning; a sister, Thelma Brower, Peoria, IL; three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Urban and Glen Holsapple.

Funeral service will be 11 AM Wednesday at the United Methodist Church at Corning, where there will be a visitation for an hour preceding the service. Burial will be in the Corning Cemetery. She will lie in state at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca after 8:30 AM Tuesday.

Memorials may be given for the Red Rustlers 4-H Club of Corning and Goff and sent in care of the family.