Evelyn Margaret (Henderson ) Costley

Evelyn Margaret (Henderson) Costley passed away Friday, February 5, 2016. She was born July 16, 1920 as the second child of Hilda (Klaven) and John Henderson and was raised on the family farm near Cresco, Iowa. Evelyn and her siblings, Harold and Lillian, were kept busy helping their parents raise crops and animals as well as hosting many family gatherings at their country church, Orleans Lutheran. Graduating from Cresco High School, Evelyn attended Luther College for one year of normal teacher training. She taught country school for one year near her home, then worked in Albert Lea before taking a position in the office of General Motors Parts in Minneapolis. She taught Sunday school at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Evelyn married Robert Costley, the regional manager for her office, on May 28, 1960 and they lived near Chicago before moving to Atlanta, Georgia. In retirement, Bob continued to use his business expertise as he volunteered in the Executive Service Corps and together they served in Brazil, Honduras, Iran, Thailand, and Ecuador as goodwill ambassadors for the USA. Evelyn coordinated 30 women who met weekly at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atlanta to assemble 1000 quilts per year. They were donated to Lutheran World Relief for use around the world. Evelyn was passionate about quilting and sewed most of the quilt tops herself at home. She and Bob also found time to enjoy their townhouse in Flagler Beach, Florida. They generously shared this vacation home with many family members. After Bob’s death in 1993, Evelyn continued to live in Georgia until 2000 when she moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota to be near Harold and Lillian. She also lived a year in Cresco, Iowa to be near her lifetime friend, Marlys Hoines. Since 2010 Evelyn resided at The Farmstead in Andover, Minnesota where niece Faye Hovde has been her loving advocate. Evelyn is survived by niece Janice (Roger) Schwartz of Rochester, MN; niece Faye (David) Hovde of Coon Rapids, MN; nephew Bert Henderson of Golden, CO; nephew Ron (Jean) Bloxham of Mason City, IA; and nephew John (Andrea) Bloxham of Antioch, CA, plus many great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert Costley, brother Harold Henderson, sister-in-law Rosetta Henderson and sister Lillian (Henderson) Bloxham. The funeral will be Saturday, March 12 at 11 a.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 11115 Hanson Blvd. in Coon Rapids with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be Monday, March 14 at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Cresco, Iowa. Memorials can be made to Faith Lutheran or a charity of your choice.

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Evelyn Margaret (Henderson ) Costley

February 5, 2016

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