10/7/2009
Helen "Rainie" Lorraine Helen (Roff) Evans, 87, passed away October 7, 2009 at Valley Eldercare in Grand
Forks, North Dakota.
Rainie was born June 6, 1922, in Knoxville, Iowa to Charles
and Ramona (Bodine) Roff. She graduated from Knoxville High School, received a teaching
degree from Pella College, and a B.A. in teaching special education from Drake University.
She married Frank Ruford Evans in 1947 in Ft. Dodge, Iowa. She spent 35 years of
her life teaching and especially enjoyed the accomplishments of her special education
students. For most of her teaching career, she worked at Norwoodville Elementary
School in Des Moines, Iowa; where she was very involved in the community and the
lives of her students and their families. While there, she invented the " Blue Rose"
parties for children with special needs. Rainie especially enjoyed entertaining.
She liked games, bingo and even playing the Nickle slots at casinos. She loved being
with people and making them laugh. She occasionally wore costumes and would recite
poems and tell imaginary stories complete with actions and facial expressions, just
to see what reactions she could get.
In 1984, after Frank died, Rainie moved to
East Grand Forks, Minnesota to be with her daughter and share the lives of her grandchildren.
During her time in EGF, she renewed her friendship with Arlo Turner and made many new friends.
She is survived by her children: Jody Evans and Stephanie (David) Sogard,
grandchildren: Nicholas Sogard and Sabiah (Alan) Sogard-Tocchio and several nieces
and nephews.
Rainie was preceded in death by her husband, Frank R. Evans, daughter,
Jardy Evans; and siblings: Ruby Stapleton, Velma Heaberlin, and Leslie Roff.
Burial in the Greenwood Cemetery.