Evelyn E. Werthwein, 86, of Sycamore, Ill., passed away peacefully Friday, June 15, 2007, at home. Born June 29, 1920, in a rural Marengo home, she was the daughter of Albin and Nellie Johnson, who were devoted, loving Christian parents of Swedish heritage. Evelyn was united in marriage to Mark W. Werthwein on Aug. 8, 1942; they enjoyed more than 62 years together until his passing on March 28, 2004. After moving from Marengo to Sycamore, she attended South School, Coltonville School and a one-room school at Lovell's Crossing, east of Sycamore. She attended Burlington High School for two years and then graduated from Sycamore High School in 1939. As a student she received several honors in spelling and math. Evelyn had a gift of playing piano by ear and accompanied choirs at school and church. Even in her last month with her family, she played her favorite tunes on a keyboard by memory. Skilled in many crafts, she excelled in sewing and knitting. Her first job after high school was in the offices of DeKalb Ag. While her husband was stationed in the Marine Corps at Navy Pier in Chicago, she worked for the Decca Record Shop. When Mark was sent to the New Hebrides Islands during World War II, Evelyn lived in Laguna Beach, Calif., painting Braydon pottery, which are now collector's items. She was the sole bookkeeper for the family business, Mark's Machine Shop in Sycamore, from 1947 until Mark retired and sold the business in 1972. Their adventurous married life included boating trips down the Mississippi River, life in their North Carolina coastal home, traveling in the Western states, Europe, South America and Central America, and courageously co-piloting with Mark in their private plane. Loved by many, Evelyn was a devoted Christian in heart and deed with a joyful nature. She was a former member of Salem Lutheran Church in Sycamore, Oak Grove Methodist Church in Havelock, N.C., and Evangelical Free Church of Sycamore-DeKalb. She is survived by three daughters, Linda Werthwein of Gloucester, N.C., and Janice (David) Bass and LaVonne Freeman, both of Sycamore; eight grandchildren, Michelle (Dave) Anderson, Adrienne (Bill) Arhos, Ryan (Betsy) Bass, Karla (Dennis) Hafford and Micah, Elijah, Abigail and Charity Freeman; four great-grandchildren, Amalia and Calista Arhos and Gavin and Joshua Bass, and one due in October to Michelle and Dave; two sisters, Marion (Jack) Nelson of Plymouth, Wis., and Gert (Roland) Wylde of Kingston; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mark; her parents; and twin siblings Verner Johnson and Verna Mallquist. The funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, at Evangelical Free Church of Sycamore-DeKalb, 150 Bethany Road in DeKalb. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Monday, June 18, at Butala Funeral Home and Crematory, 1405 DeKalb Ave. in Sycamore. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Butala Funeral Home and Crematory on behalf of Cornerstone Christian Academy of Sycamore and DeKalb County Hospice. For information, call (815) 895-2833. To sign the online guest book, visit www.daily-chronicle.com/obits. Published in the Daily Chronicle from 6/16/2007 - 6/20/2007.

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