Evelyn Ella Northup

Evelyn Ella Northup, the daughter of John and Anna (Rattenborg) Bertelsen, was born October 11, 1918, at her parents’ home in Audubon County, Iowa and died June 1, 2014, at the Audubon County Memorial Hospital in Audubon, Iowa at the age of 95 years, 7 months, and 20 days. Evelyn was 2.5 pounds at birth and she was cared for by her teenage aunt (Ella). Evelyn was baptized at her parents’ home by her grandfather Rattenborg and later confirmed at the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa. She attended several rural schools in Audubon County and then was employed as a hired girl for several families. On August 25, 1937, she was united in marriage to Dick Northup at the Hamlin Lutheran Church. Three children: Larry, Linda, and Mary were born to this union. They operated his aunt and uncle’s farm in Cameron Township, Audubon County, Iowa for several years, then purchased their own farm in Cameron Township. Evelyn helped Dick operate the family farm where they raised livestock and grew row crops in addition she raised chickens, milked cows, and always had a large garden. They retired from farming and moved into Audubon in the fall of 1970. During retirement she volunteered at Caring and Sharing. Dick died August 30, 2003. Evelyn cared for her home until she moved to the Friendship Home in 2009. Evelyn was a life-long member of the Hamlin Lutheran Church and a member of the Pricilla Guild. She was a member of the Garden Club and received many ribbons for the beautiful roses she raised. She belonged to several card clubs and neighborhood clubs. Evelyn always enjoyed visiting with people. She crocheted, did needle point, sewing, traveling, playing the piano, and dancing. Evelyn was preceded in death by husband Dick M. Northup; her grandson Steven Merk; her parents; her infant sister Kathleen Bertelsen; her brother Emery Bertelsen; her 9 brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Survivors include her children: Larry and wife Sherry Northup of Ames, Iowa; Linda and husband Don Merk of Audubon, Iowa; Mary and husband Collin Leist of West Des Moines, Iowa; her grandchildren: David and wife Laura Northup of Columbia, South Carolina; Paul and wife Penny Merk of Audubon; Jennifer Merk and husband David Goveck of Seattle, Washington; Summer and husband Chris O’Neill of Chicago, Illinois; 5 great grandchildren; 3 step great grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter; 2 step great great grandchildren; Brenda and husband Roger Hansen of Wiota, Iowa; Susan Merk of Eau Clair, Wisconsin; her sister-in-law Ardyth Bertelsen of Audubon; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Cemetery:
Interment will be in the Hamlin Lutheran, Cemetery in Hamlin.



Visitation:
Friends may call at their convenience at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon.

Service:
Funeral services will be conducted by Pastor Steven Frock on Thursday, June 5, 2014, at 10:30 A.M. at the Hamlin Lutheran Church in Hamlin, Iowa.