Evelyn E. Reavell, age 93, of Dubuque, passed away at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at home surrounded by her family.  To honor Evelyn’s life, family and friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. until 4:45 p.m., on Friday, July 19, 2024, at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street.  Funeral services will be held at 5:00 p.m., on Friday, with Rev. Steven J. Rosonke officiating.  Entombment will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Evelyn was born on July 16, 1930, in Tama County, Iowa, daughter of Orlyn and Velva (Willer) Ehlers.
Evelyn graduated from Dubuque Senior High School, Class of 1948.  She married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Reavell, on May 9, 1959, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.  They celebrated almost 47 years of marriage before Dick sadly passed away on April 27, 2006.  Evelyn was a devoted wife and mom.  She loved kids, and worked as a Teacher’s Associate for children with special needs with the Dubuque Community School District for 22 years until her retirement.  Some of the children she helped she was with from kindergarten all the way through high school.  Her Catholic faith was very important to her, and she was a long time member of St. Anthony’s Church.  Evelyn was very artistic and created beautiful cross stitch and embroidery pieces.  She was a phenomenal cook and baker who had a schedule of what was baked on what day.  She made delicious meals for the family and insisted on cleaning up all by herself after large family gatherings.  Evelyn had a spunky attitude and was extremely active.  She truly was ahead of her time, always doing what made her happy and not caring what others thought.   Evelyn was a great role model and loved her family deeply.  She will be greatly missed.

Those left to cherish Evelyn’s memory include

her children,
Jean A. (Duane) Merritt, Bellevue, IA
and Tom R. (Chris) Reavell, Dubuque, IA;

a son-in-law,
Tom Bechen, Dubuque, IA;

3 grandchildren,
Heather (Terry) Kleinschrodt, Dubuque, IA,
Alex Reavell, Dubuque, IA
and Tommy (Betsy) Bechen, Janesville, WI;

2 great-grandchildren,
Nick Currier and Nolan Bechen;

her brother,
Chuck (Rose) Ehlers, Milwaukee, WI;

and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dick Reavell, a daughter, Carol Bechen; a son-in-law, Mark Redmond; and a sister, Marlyn (Jim) Link.

Evelyn’s family would like to thank the staff of Eagle Pointe Place and Hospice of Dubuque for the wonderful care they have provided for Evelyn these past months.

Greeting cards and memorials in Evelyn’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Evelyn Reavell Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com