Evelyn Ann Hurley was born on December 9, 1932, on the family farm near Munden, Kansas, to Lewis A. & Clara M. (Novak) Rizek. Evelyn was one of three children born to Lewis and Clara, and she grew up on the family farm, graduating from Munden High School, class of 1950. She then attended Kansas State University.
She was united in marriage to James J. Hurley on August 22, 1951, at St. George Catholic Church in Munden. To this union of 72 years, four children were born. Evelyn and Jim farmed in the Republic area. Jim and Evelyn were 4-H community leaders for the Republic Pioneers 4-H Club for many years. Evelyn was a food and clothing judge at many county fairs and also a clothing judge at the Kansas State Fair and also President of the Extension Council Board. She had the Grand Champion Swine at the 1949 Wichita Livestock Show along with fellow Munden 4-H members Gene Rizek Grand Champion Steer and Amos Blecha Grand Champion Lamb. This made them the only Grand Champions in all three division from the same 4-H Club.
She was a member of St. George Catholic Church in Munden and the St. George Altar Society.
Evelyn passed away on December 20, 2023, at the Republic Co. Hospital in Belleville, at the age of 91 years and 11 days.
She is preceded in death by her parents Lewis and Clara, sister Illene Mae Blazek and her husband Gerald, brother Dr. Eugene Rizek and his wife Eleanor, son in law James Koch, and great-grandson Steven Koch.
She is survived by her husband Jim, son Allen Hurley and his wife Barb of Republic, daughter Jackie Koch of Clyde, daughter Nancy Sandell and her husband Richard of Republic, and daughter Marcy Blow and her husband Clifford of Burlington, Kansas. Evelyn is also survived by her grandchildren; Justin Hurley (Kari) of Torrington, WY; Amanda Walker of Shawnee, KS; Bethany Wallin (Clay) of Courtland, KS; Jeffrey Koch (Jennifer) of Clyde, KS; Julie Simpson (Kevin) of Overland Park, KS; Nolan Sandell of Republic; Nealy Sandell of Lincoln, NE; Morgan Millsap (Thad) of Van Buran, AR; Bridget McGuire (Kyle) of Lenexa; and Jennifer Colbert (Kevin) of Burlington, KS; and by her 17 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, nieces, nephews, and a community of friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, December 28, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Edward Catholic Church in Belleville. Burial will follow at St. George Catholic Cemetery, rural Munden.
Viewing will be Wednesday, December 27th, from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home in Belleville. Rosary/Vigil Services will be held at 6:00 pm at St. George Catholic Church in Munden. The family will greet friends at the church following the Rosary.
Memorials are requested to the Evelyn Hurley Memorial, to be designated at a later date, and may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.
Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Hurley family with these arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com
