Evelyn Conrads

Evelyn Esther Conrads, age 84 of Cedar Falls, passed away on November 27, 2023, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo with her husband and children at her side. Evelyn was born on March 20, 1939, near Parkersburg, Iowa to Johann and Henrietta (Meester) Luhring. She attended Beaver #4 Rural School through 8th grade and later completed her GED in 1979. Evelyn married Bernhard (Bernie) Conrads on June 2, 1959, at Pleasant Valley Reformed Church, rural Holland, Iowa. Evelyn and Bernie settled in Cedar Falls where they were active members of Cedar Heights Baptist Church and where she found her most rewarding employment as the Dining Room Supervisor of the Cedar Falls Woman’s Club during the 1980s and 90s. Evelyn loved her family and friends. She was known for her kindness and her love of others, especially children. Being "Oma" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren was something she particularly cherished. Evelyn had a deep concern for others and instilled in her own children the importance of showing compassion towards the less fortunate. Her welcoming nature was reflected in her quick smile and frequent giggle. She was full of life, love, and silliness. Later in life, she became a big fan of Iowa Hawkeyes sports and would often call after an event and ask, “What did you think about that game?” For Evelyn, however, the most important pursuit was that of following Jesus. She often shared the story of when she was a teenager on the farm and, while listening to a radio preacher, understood for the first time that God loved her and that she could have new life through faith in Jesus. When she responded with faith to that Good News, she went outside and said, “The leaves were greener than they ever were before, and the sky was bluer than it ever was.” Her whole world changed. In her last days, she continued to hold on to the Lord and shared how wonderful it was to know his love and care. She lived out that faith to the end. Evelyn is survived by her husband of 64 years, Bernie; children: Lisa McCulloh of Simi Valley, California, and David (Rebecca) Conrads of Iowa City, Iowa; grandchildren: Melissa McCulloh, Kara McCulloh, Tamra (Anthony) Landingham, Mikayla (Juls) McCulloh, John Conrads, Ava Lynn Conrads, and Benjamin Conrads; great-grandchildren: Connor, Brayden, and Baron Calabrese, Quinn Martin, and Kit Landingham; siblings: Herman Luhring, Esther (Marvin) Eiklenborg, Phyllis (Don) Settle, Larry (Marty) Luhring, Janice (Wayne) Arends; brother-in-law: Reverend Ray Kruger; sisters-in-law: Vada Luhring, Judy Luhring, and Rosie Luhring; and her in-laws on Bernie’s side: Abe and Wilma Jean Conrads and Jake and Dorothy Conrads; and a legion of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents: Johann and Henrietta Luhring; son-in-law: Kevin McCulloh; brothers: Johannes, LeRoy, and Kenneth Luhring; sisters: JoAnn Kruger and Mary Ann Danger; sisters-in-law: Shirley Luhring and Darilyn Luhring; brother-in-law: Darrell Danger; her parents in-law: John and Jakoba Conrads; and her brother and sister in-law: John and Katie Conrads. Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Cedar Heights Baptist Church in Cedar Falls. In honor of her 20 years as Maître’ D of the Cedar Falls Woman’s Club, there will be a light lunch open house reception from 12:30 to 2:30 at the Cedar Falls Woman’s Club House. The burial service will take place at 3 PM at Oak Hill Cemetery in Parkersburg. Visitation will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023, at Richardson Funeral Home (Cedar Falls) from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and one hour before the services at the church. Memorials may be directed to Genesis Church (P.O. Box 132, North Liberty, IA 52317), where David is the Pastor, to help build a barn/gymnasium to serve children and youth in the Iowa City area.

Evelyn Conrads

March 20, 1939 - November 27, 2023