On Monday, September 9, 2024, Evelyn Ann Kathryn Levin passed away peacefully at the age of 95. She was born November 8, 1928 to Carl and Martha (Henkel) Grauerholz at their home located NW of Kensington, Kansas.
Evelyn was baptized and confirmed into St. John’s Lutheran Church, Kensington, KS.
As the oldest of three girls, Evelyn quickly stepped into the role of her Dad’s “farm hand” and her mother’s “helper around the house”.
She would tell stories of living in the Rock House she grew up in and attending the Grauerholz Country School No. 53 through the Eighth grade.
She started her freshman year at Kensington High School, graduating in 1946. While there she met classmates Alice (Brunow) Rietzke and Eulonda (Dettmer) Hagman. These three ladies became lifelong friends.
While in high school Evelyn met a bold young man they called “Tarzan” Levin. It was not love at first sight, but Tarzan was very persistent and ardently courted young Evelyn. After nine months of dating he approached her father and asked for her hand in marriage. They were married July 1, 1945, right in the middle of wheat harvest! The honeymoon was postponed until harvest was over. Evelyn and Arnold “Tarzan” spent 62 years together. They raised seven children, worked side by side in partnership, traveled the world, and made many lifelong friends.
Throughout her life Evelyn embodied two things, the love for her Lord and the love of her family. She did not know a stranger, but welcomed them into her home to share a cup of coffee and listen to their story. She led by example, sharing her love of the Lord with family and friends. Evelyn made her family feel that each one of them was important to her and she took the time to listen to them and celebrate with them. She attended their baptisms, confirmations, birthdays, graduations, weddings and any celebration that brought family together.
Evelyn was an active member of First St. John Lutheran Church in Kensington. She taught Sunday school, confirmation classes and enjoyed teaching and helping with Vacation bible school. She and Arnold were great supporters of the church’s youth group.
Evelyn leaves behind to celebrate her life her children Alan and Jan Levin of Tucson, AZ, Otto and fiancée Cheryl Foreman, Steve and Deb Levin all of Kensington, Carol and Alan Erick of Dallas, TX, Jeff and Mickie Levin of Athol, KS, Pam and Jeff Thompson of Paola, KS and John and Kim Levin of Tucson, AZ, 41 Grandchildren, 50 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great-Great Grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Arnold (Tarzan), son James Arden, sisters Ruby Schreiber and Irma Sheley, brothers’ in-law Paul Schreiber, Don Sheley, Ivan Levin and Ted Levin, sister in-law Ruth (Ted) Levin and daughter in-law Cheryl Levin.