Eleanor Evans Obituary

Eleanor "Ele" Evans

September 22, 1925 - September 8, 2025

Valley Center, Kansas - Eleanor "Ele" Louise Evans, former school teacher and farm wife, passed away peacefully in her sleep September 8, 2025, in Rogers, Arkansas. She was born September 22, 1925, to Gaylord George Patrick and Dorothy May (Nelson) Patrick in Fort Smith, Arkansas. At a young age, she moved with her family to Clearwater, Kansas. She lived her adult life on the farm outside Valley Center, Kansas, until a few years ago, when she and her husband Corky, moved to the Rogers area to be closer to their daughter and her family.

Eleanor was a graduate of Clearwater High School, Friends University (BA) and Emporia State University (MS). Upon graduation from Friends University, she accepted a position with the Valley Center School District, teaching business courses at the high school. She sponsored the student group that ran the concession stand at football games, and that's where she met Clair "Corky" Eugene Evans. They were married on December 27, 1953. Together they established a farmstead and raised their family.

Ele was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Valley Center. She found great joy singing in the Valley Center chapter of Sweet Adelines. She was an avid gardener and cook. She loved entertaining, and her and Corky's home was frequently filled with family, friends, and even visitors from around the world who were always welcomed in when the local Farm Bureau agency reached out with a request. Fried chicken, sweet corn, and homemade cherry pie were staples at these gatherings! She and Corky were also their children and grandchildren's biggest fans, attending their many school and sporting events.

Ele was known for her infectious smile, positivity, and sense of humor. She and Corky loved to socialize and travel with their family and friends. Square dancing in their younger days, camping trips to local Kansas lakes, trips to Colorado with their "Crazy 8" group and more. Later they also enjoyed the many new friends they made in their Mesa, AZ winter home and then their home in Rogers, AR, especially Ele's second family at House of 3 NWA.

Ele demonstrated for us all the power of quiet determination, warm hospitality, and unwavering devotion to a spirit of acceptance of and service to others. Combined with an endearing little mischievous streak that she never lost!

Eleanor is preceded in death by her husband, Corky Evans; her parents, Gaylord and Dorothy Patrick; and sister, Janice (Jan) Dunham.

She is survived by son, Les (Terry) Evans of Lenexa, KS; daughter, Sandy (Michael) Tush of Bentonville, AR; grandson, Jason (Sarah) Walter of Phoenix, AZ; granddaughters, Jessie (Mike) Lisenbee of Bentonville, AR, Claire (Ryan) Sinovic of Lenexa, KS; great-grandchildren, Max, Sadie, Jaxon, Jonas, Wylder, Sartor and Cora; as well as several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Friday, September 19, 2025, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Funeral Service will be at 2:00 pm, Saturday, September 20, 2025, at First United Methodist Church of Valley Center. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, Sedgwick, KS.

In lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorial contributions to Valley Center Education Foundation, P.O. Box 218, Valley Center, KS 67147; or Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Rd., Springdale, AR 72762.

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