Funeral for Evelyn Johnson - October 18, 2018

Today we laid to rest a sweet, sweet, and so very talented soul... Evelyn Johnson.  It was a difficult service to perform but I am so honored to have been able to give to Evelyn just a fraction of the recognition that she so aptly deserved for all her years of service and all the blessings she's provided.

May the Lord strengthen and comfort her family as they continue to mourn her passing...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

Order of Service – Evelyn Johnson – October 18, 2018

Prelude: 

Entrance: 
All Please Rise!

Call to Worship:
Psalm 95:1-7  New International Version (NIV)
1 Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord;
    let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
    and extol him with music and song.
3 For the Lord is the great God,
    the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
    and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
    and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
    let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
7 for he is our God
    and we are the people of his pasture,
    the flock under his care.

Please be seated.

Greeting:
We are gathered together today on this solemn, sacred, and yet joyful day.
Gathered together to strengthen, to comfort, to reminisce, 
and above all else to lift our praise and thanks to God...
praise for the life and legacy of Evelyn Ruth Johnson;
to share our grief with God and with one another;
to reaffirm our faith in God's unending and unlimited love and grace;
to hear again God's promise of resurrection and the life to come;
and to commend Evelyn to God's everlasting care.

Music:  Here I Am Lord

Opening Prayer:
Gracious and loving God, you are the giver of life. We come from you, and in death, we return to you. Be with us now. We bring to you our grief and loss... our sister Evelyn was part of our lives, and we each loved her so, and thus each of our hearts is broken in this sad time of parting. We bring to you our thanks for all that Evelyn meant to us, all that she shared with us and all that she gave us of herself.

We bring to you our relief, that for Evelyn there is nothing left to fear, no more suffering, no more frailty, no more confusion, and that she is with you and at peace. Come into the turmoil of our emotions, renew our faith and grant us the peace that only you can give. This we pray in the name of our Lord & Savior... Jesus who is the Christ.
Amen.

Music: The Wind Beneath My Wings

Let us hear now a reading from the Old Testament:
Psalm 118:14-24
14 The Lord is my strength and my song;
    he has become my salvation.
15 Hark, glad songs of victory
    in the tents of the righteous:
“The right hand of the Lord does valiantly,
16     the right hand of the Lord is exalted,
    the right hand of the Lord does valiantly!”
17 I shall not die, but I shall live,
    and recount the deeds of the Lord.
18 The Lord has chastened me sorely,
    but he has not given me over to death.
19 Open to me the gates of righteousness,
    that I may enter through them
    and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord;
    the righteous shall enter through it.
21 I thank thee that thou hast answered me
    and hast become my salvation.
22 The stone which the builders rejected
    has become the head of the corner.
23 This is the Lord’s doing;
    it is marvelous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which the Lord has made;
    let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Let us hear now a reading from the New Testament:
Colossians 3:12-17
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Music: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Message:  Pastor Roy Karlen – Woodlawn Christian Church 

Since I have come here to Lake City, I have performed far, far too many funerals. Though all funerals are difficult to preside over, there are some that frankly... are more difficult than others... this funeral today... is without a doubt... one of those extremely difficult affairs.  But, yet... it is an honor to be able to officiate over the celebration of life for Evelyn... a soul that was so faithful to God, and to her family.  I am keenly aware that this service, no matter how hard we try to make it so... is incapable of encapsulating and eulogizing a life so well lived.

Evelyn Ruth Johnson, age 89, passed from this broken and fallen world and into the blessed and glory-filled Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, morning October 14, 2018.  Evelyn Ruth Short was born February 28, 1929, here in Lake City, Iowa, to her loving parents Alva Mason (A.M.) and Helen (Hungerford) Short.  She was baptized in the baptistery behind me on March 14, 1940, by Reverend Roy Weaklend.

Evelyn's father AM Short was a farmer when she was born.  They lived approximately eight miles from Lake City, and when her mother went into labor they had to travel the eight miles to the Hospital in a horse-drawn sleigh.  It was February after-all, but they were made of sterner stuff in those not so long begotten days... Evelyn and those in her generation are a link to those days of difficulty and hard endeavors.  During the depression, Evelyn's family lost their farm, unable to make the final payment on their land contract.  The family moved in with Evelyn's mother's father, Grandfather Hungerford, who was the first Depot Agent for the Railroad here in Lake City.  The family lived with Grandfather Hungerford until his death in his home which still stands on Main Street here in Lake City.  Jim Bruce still remembers going along with Reverend Votruba to the home after Grandfather Hungerford passed and remembers Evelyn answering the door.  

Evelyn graduated from Lake City High School in 1947 and then attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois for just one year.  Standing here in this very Sanctuary, on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1949, she married Darryl E. Johnson and together they embarked on the journey of the rest of their lives. Together Darryl and Evelyn farmed for 64 years and for 43 years they enjoyed wintering in Florida, Texas, and finally Arizona.  They enjoyed 67 years of marriage, raised four children, and were blessed with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  

In getting to know both Darryl and Evelyn, it seemed to me that Darryl always regarded Evelyn or EvE as he called her as his most precious gem... and this gem had three main facets in her life... her faith, her family, and her music.  Darryl was so very proud of her and so very proud of her music.  He loved to listen to her play and Evelyn told me that she knew Darryl was near to the end of his life when she went to him and asked if he wanted to come out to hear her play the organ in the Chapel at Shady Oaks... and he declined... 

Music was always very, very important to Evelyn and along with her mother Helen, always referred to affectionately as either Mrs. Short or Grandma Short... they truly left a legacy of music behind in Lake City, and especially here at Woodlawn.  Evelyn and Evelyn's children grew up surrounded constantly by music lessons and recitals.  Jim Bruce shared with me stories of going to Mrs. Short's home for lessons and memories of Evelyn's father and grandfather.  For a while Evelyn would give music lessons here in the Church library because her mother was giving lessons at the same time at their home, the Church library had a gas-log at that time so it could be heated while the rest of the Church was not.  

Evelyn's mother gave music lessons for money, and for barter.  She was compensated for lessons with eggs, other foodstuffs, and for hair styling.  The lessons always came first and when Evelyn needed to go shopping for her wedding dress... Darryl's mother went with Evelyn because Evelyn's mom had lessons to teach that day.  Together Evelyn and her mother taught countless people here in Lake City to appreciate and enjoy music.  This love for music was originally inherited from Evelyn's grandfather, Grandfather Hungerford, who led and sang in the choir at the Presbyterian Church.

Woodlawn recruited Mrs. Short from the Presbyterian Church when they became in need of an organist, and it was due to this fate-filled recruitment, that she meet Evelyn's father.  Mr. Short was the one in charge of pumping the pipe organ on Sunday mornings and he and Evelyn's mother met and developed a relationship as a result.  This happened in the 'Old White' Church and when that Church burned and this current building was constructed in 1927.  Evelyn's mother played that very organ at the dedication service on November 6, 1927.  Since that time the greater part of the music that has been played on that keyboard stemmed from the fingers of either Evelyn's mother Mrs. Short or Evelyn herself.  In all the lion's share of the existence of Woodlawn has featured either Evelyn or her mother performing on Sunday mornings. For many years Evelyn and her mother would over-lap in playing the organ, I was told at one time that Evelyn was 16 when she first played for a Sunday service.  From the age of 16 until just about a year and a half ago... Evelyn was never long away from that keyboard.  As Jim Bruce said to me this past Sunday morning... it is truly the end of an era for Woodlawn.

Jim also shared with me memories of Evelyn not only playing the organ but her singing solos here at Church while a young girl, a teenager, and a young woman.  Evelyn will long be remembered for performing at an unknown number of weddings and funerals with her friends Muriel Pierce, Margaret Lois Clark, and Vera Mae Doty.  When Vera Mae passed away the family asked me to go to Evelyn and have her select the music for the funeral, and she did so, though unfortunately, Evelyn was no longer up to playing for that somber event.  Keith Lampe shared with me the other day that to the best of his ability to estimate, Evelyn had performed at over 350 funerals with him here in Lake City.  And there were, of course, other funerals with other funeral homes through the many years of Evelyn's music ministry.

Besides being able to play the organ, the piano, and having a beautiful singing voice, Evelyn also played the violin.  During my installation ceremony here at Woodlawn, my son Creath came and played his violin for the congregation, Evelyn was so very excited about his playing.  She so badly... wanted him to come back someday and play a duet with her... I shall always regret that Creath and Evelyn never got a chance to play together.  She was so genuinely excited about the idea of playing a duet with him... she just loved music, and she appreciated music in others as well as in herself.

While Evelyn and Darryl were away in the winters, she still kept busy with music.  She played for many Sunday services down south and sang with the group “The Songbirds” while in Mesa.  Evelyn kept playing right up to the end of her life, playing for worship services out at Shady Oaks.  Just a couple of weeks ago we visited about the number of times she was set to play that week and she though tired was pleased to be able to continue to bless others with her music. On the Monday prior to her passing, she over-slept for Woodlawn's Monday service at Shady Oaks, she was so very apologetic and embarrassed.  I told her it was not a problem, she assured me she'd be ready next time...  Since coming to Woodlawn I have so very much enjoyed working with Evelyn, it was always a joy to have her play and she was always up to play any hymn that I asked for or that was requested out at Shady Oaks... she could and had played them all!

In the little booklet produced by the Church for the Church's 125th Anniversary, Evelyn shared the following under the title: “Precious Memories, How They Linger, How They Ever Fill My Soul”.
My “Precious Memories” are “Music Memories”, memories that span more than half a century!
The church music was always important in our home.  Grandfather Hungerford led and sang in the Presbyterian choir.  Mother played the organ for the Christian Church.  The weekly church music schedule included: Sunday morning services, Sunday evening services, and Thursday night services! Soloists, trios, and quartets sang weekly, and the praises sent up to God through these faithful members were many.
For years, Dewey Howe, Charles W. Watters, Jean Blair, and Hazel Bauman gave comfort to many bereaved families through their inspiring music.  Many Tuesday evenings they spent in our living room, practicing for a funeral or a church service.
Precious memories of mine include the choir.  Margaret Lois Clark was a patient leader, and we had many enjoyable years under her faithful “waving hand”.  I remember the “Sound of Music” concert and the Easter cantatas we presented – with hard work – but fun!
Precious memories are felt by me, through organ music.  The organ can express many emotions: adoration, awe of His greatness and majesty – wonder, because we find Him all powerful – gratitude, for His love that surrounds us.  I feel this deeply, but it is my privilege, and duty, to make others feel these emotions, too.
It is my fervent prayer that some joy or comfort can be felt through the voice of the organ.
In Psalm 150: the Bible says -
“Through music, praise the Lord.  Praise Him in His temple, praise Him with the trumpet and with the harp.  Praise Him with the harp.  Praise Him with the drums.  Praise Him with stringed instruments and horns. Praise Him with cymbals, yes, loud clanging cymbals.”
Let everything alive give praises to the Lord! You praise Him – praise Him in song and music – Yes!  Hallelujah for Music.  Yes!  Hallelujah for Precious Memories!!
Evelyn Johnson

Music was very, very important to Evelyn... it was her ministry and her passion... as I mentioned Evelyn attended one year of classes at Northwestern University where she studied music; in visiting with friends of Evelyn it seems that she would have very much liked to have continued her music education... she had a true gift, but her love and devotion to her family brought her back to Lake City.

Evelyn was devoted to her Grandfather, her father, and her mother.  She lost a little brother who died after only a few days of life, William Austin Short.  I don't remember her ever mentioning her little brother, though she mentioned often how she missed out on some things by being basically an only child with her half-siblings from her father's first wife being so much older than she was.  One can only imagine Evelyn's joy in getting to see her little brother once again...

When I asked Evelyn's family for words to describe her, the first word spoken was 'loving', that she loved her family and that she never wanted to say or do anything to hurt anyone.  She was the softhearted and compassionate parent, it was always up to Darryl to be the one that disciplined.  Evelyn almost never raised her voice, one of the few times would have been the great ketchup escapade... but you'll have to talk to the family to hear the rest of that story... along with the story of how they learned that one should not dispose of molten wax down the kitchen sink.  Evelyn never wanted to hurt anyone's feelings and likewise, the family never wanted to hurt Evelyn's feelings.

The family commented how Evelyn always looked her very best, she loved bright colors and always had her hair styled.  She always had a smile on her face and never complained to me about anything or anyone.  We often talked about her children, she was always worried about Roxy even though she and Roxy visited on the phone every day.  More than once when I was there visiting her Valerie, or Ron would drop in, or she'd get a phone call from Sherry.

Evelyn remained very close to her High School friends for much of her life, getting together to play cards and such with the girls from her Senior Class, that went by the moniker of the “Dewy Ducks”.  During High School, they had sleepovers and gatherings, and they just had a lot of fun together. Clarice O'Tool told me at least one story that I can't share from the pulpit... so please corral her during the luncheon to hear the stories about this group of friends. A few years ago Valerie hosted a party for her mother and the rest of the “Dewy Ducks” and it sounded like they all had a wonderful time talking or 'quacking' or whatever together.

Evelyn loved to play cards and the family shared memories of Evelyn putting pillows in the middle of the table to help the grandchildren hold up their cards and to keep the others from seeing their cards.  She kept playing cards while out at Shady Oaks and I knew she was failing when she stopped coming out to play with her fellow card-players.  Although she was out to play Bingo the Monday before she passed, she did enjoy Bingo as well.

Evelyn was a social butterfly while out at Shady Oaks, enjoying the many events they provide for the residents, and she was fond of many of the staff... as they were also fond of her.  She was such a gentle and kind soul and became an endearment to many in her time living at Shady Oaks.

The family lamented that none of them, especially Roxy... was ever able to duplicate Evelyn's deviled eggs or her oatmeal cookies.  Sherry remembers when the kids were little how Evelyn convinced Darryl to do square dancing and her mom in her square dancing dress along with her father in a coordinating outfit.  Shelly also remembered them playing boccie-ball during the winters down South.  I've left most of the wonderful family stories to be told to you all during the luncheon and reception time after the interment, so please make sure and visit with Ron, Sherry, Roxy, and Valerie later to hear more of these great stories by those that lived through them and who can tell them the best of all.

The other attribute that came up again and again with Evelyn was her strong, strong faith... how she was the foundation of the children's faith-walk.  Evelyn not only played the organ and sang as demonstrations of her faith, she also was active in the Women's group at Woodlawn, she coordinated the local Meals on Wheels, and she volunteered for the Hospital Auxiliary working in the Hospital Gift Shop. Evelyn lived her faith each and every day and left a legacy for her family and each of us... to try and live up too.

Evelyn loved to read the Bible and did so every day.  At one point she asked me if I could find her a large print Bible and I loaned this Bible to her.  She kept it beside her chair for a very long time until finally she told me she had located a large print Bible of her own and she wanted to give this one back to me... as long as I have this Bible I will always think of Evelyn when I pick it up to read God's word.

Evelyn left behind for us a list of some of her favorite Bible passages and please allow me to share them with you at this time.  Please consider that each spoke to her to her in reassurance and instruction... please let them do so to you as well:

Psalm 105:4 New Century Version (NCV)
4 Depend on the Lord and his strength;
    always go to him for help.

Galatians 5:22-23a New Century Version (NCV)
22 But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. 

1 Peter 5:6-7 New Century Version (NCV)
6 Be humble under God’s powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes. 7 Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.

Deuteronomy 6:5 New Century Version (NCV)
5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.

Psalm 46:1-3  New Century Version (NCV)
1 God is our protection and our strength.
    He always helps in times of trouble.
2 So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes,
    or the mountains fall into the sea,
3 even if the oceans roar and foam,
    or the mountains shake at the raging sea.

Romans 12:12 New Century Version (NCV)
12 Be joyful because you have hope. Be patient when trouble comes, and pray at all times.

Psalm 56:3-4a (NCV)
3 When I am afraid,
    I will trust you.
4 I praise God for his word.
    I trust God, so I am not afraid. 

And Evelyn's all so favorite verse... and one that was included in the Old Testament Reading that I recited earlier:

Psalm 118:24 
24 This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 was it seems her life-verse, the verse that she shared over and over and over again to her family.  This was the verse that she tried to live her life by and the verse she so wanted her family to live by as well.  May the Lord guide them in their journey to do so...

As a Minister, one of the difficult things about leading a funeral service is that for many of the souls gathered and mourning... you as the Minister represent the power and grace of God Almighty... you must model the strength and glory of the Father.  Often, this means people feel you as God's Minister... should be stoic and resolute... moving but unmoved...

But, let us remember the shortest verse in the Bible... John 11:35 “Jesus wept”.  Jesus' friend, whom he loved... Lazarus had died and Jesus had just spoken to Martha and then Mary who were weeping.  And Jesus too weeps... as we weep today for our loved one... Evelyn. I have no doubt in my mind... that this past Sunday morning... that God Himself wept... over the passing of Evelyn Ruth Johnson.  He wept knowing how much it will and does pain Evelyn's loved ones to be parted from her... no matter how brief.  But, God also cried tears of joy... as He greeted His beautiful child home...

On Sunday morning Evelyn was reunited with her forever loving husband Darryl, with her little brother, her mother, father, grandparents, and so, so many friends and relatives that have gone on before.  And I know as well that her Savior said to her... “Well done my good and faithful servant... enter into the joy of the Lord”.

Praise be to God!!

Closing Prayer:
Following the interment at Lake City Cemetery, the family wishes for you all to join them in further celebration of Evelyn's life and a time of shared remembrances and closure, by gathering with them for lunch in the Church's fellowship hall. For those who do not wish to attend the graveside service, please feel free to remain behind and wait here in our Fellowship Hall.

Let us please pray:
God of life, and light, and hope... with Your whole Church in heaven... and on earth... we bring to You our thanks, we offer to You our praise... for all that You have done for humankind through Jesus who is the Christ. You sent Him, your Son... to live and die for us. You showed Your plan for the world and proved that Your love has no limit, and on that first Easter when You raised Jesus from the dead You promised that all humankind might share His resurrection life. For the hope of our faith, for the good news of Your Kingdom, and for all those whom You have welcomed into Your loving presence, we thank You, gracious God... But especially now, we thank You for the life of Evelyn whom we loved. 

We thank You for all the ways in which Evelyn became special and precious to each of us who knew her; for the values and standards she set by her example and her life; for her sense of what was good and right and decent; for her warmth and humor and sense of family; for every life that she enriched and all that she invested of herself in our lives; for the faith by which she lived and in which she died. 

We thank you for the glorious treasury of memories that are ours to keep, to hold on to and to enjoy – the moments that were deep, special and personal, the times that rang with laughter and fun, and for the ordinary days of discovering each other a little more, when affection and love, trust and respect, grew and were deepened. We thank you for the courage shown, and for a life fulfilled, and for all that Evelyn reflected of Your goodness and love. And now though we mourn... we also are glad... for we celebrate today that Evelyn has found peace and will neither suffer nor mourn again. she has laid her burden down before you and is with you, safe, happy, whole, and welcomed by those for whom she once mourned. Help us to hold on to what we should... and to let go of what we must. Help us not to cling to the past constantly brooding for what might have been, but rather to take forward what she gave us for the rest of our lives’ journey. Help us to trust and to know that Evelyn will never be far from us until that day when we all stand together in Your presence. All this we pray to You today... through Jesus who is the Christ.
Amen 

Benediction:
As you go on your way, May God go with you.
May He go before you to show you the way;
May He go behind you to encourage you;
Beside you to befriend you;
Above you to watch over you;
And within you to give you peace.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Postlude:  

Committal Service:
Selfishly, we as mortals wish to hold on to Evelyn. It brings great pain to let her go. Living in the resurrection hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, in the trust of a loving God and in the promise of eternal life, we now commit her body to its place of rest. We will continue to mourn Evelyn, but now her smile and laughter will warm the kingdom of God. We will continue to love Evelyn, but God will now take care of her. We will continue to carry Evelyn in our thoughts, but she will now be kept safe in God's hands. Receive her in the arms of your mercy, O God, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of all your saints.

Let us hear now these words taken from the 14th Chapter of the Gospel of John
Hear these words from Jesus:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places.
If it were not so,
Would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and will take you to myself,
So that where I am, there you may be also.
And you know the way to the place where I am going.
I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
In a little while, the world will no longer see me,
But you will see me;
Because I live, you also will live.
I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
Whom the Father will send in my name,
Will teach you everything,
And remind you of all that I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”  
(John 14:1–4, 18–19, 25–27)

The family would like for me to share with you the following poem:
Don't hold me in your sorrow,
Don't shed those tears for me,
I've found my heavenly tomorrow,
God has set me free.
I'm in a better place,
I walk the streets of gold.
I'm sheltered by God's grace.
I have His hand to hold.
You never have to worry,
I have everything I need.
God made me happy,
When my soul was freed.
And when your days are over,
We'll surely meet again,
We'll share our love and laughter,
When you get to heaven.

Believing in the Resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we now entrust Evelyn to the care of Almighty God and we ask Our Father to open the doors to his mansion and lead Evelyn to the room made ready just for her. As we now commit her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, we commend her spirit to its new home. Rest eternal grant her, and let Your light perpetual shine upon her.

God has blessed and enriched our lives in giving us Evelyn to know and love here on this earth. Though our time together was not nearly enough, in committing her body to the earth, we give over to God the care of her spirit, and we acknowledge that we will one day reunite with her in God's Kingdom. The Lord bless her and keep her; the Lord make his face shine upon her and be gracious to her; the Lord look upon her with favor and give her peace.

This concludes our graveside service.

May the Lord bless you and keep you, may His strong arms encircle you and uphold you in your hour of grief.  God's peace and strength to you all.
Amen