Evelyn V. Weddel

On November 21, 1928, Evelyn Virginia was born on an Iowa farm to Leslie and Helen Davis, a baby sister to Mary and Dwight Davis. As she grew, she was found to love music and baby kittens. That love lasted her whole life. At the age of 7 she was picking out tunes on the piano by ear and her parents determined piano lessons should be started. At age 12, during a routine check-up for 4-H camp, it was determined that her heart was seriously enlarged. Since at the time there was no known treatment for this condition, it was declared that bed rest would save her life.

As school began she was provided a tutor and followed her class progress. Come summer she was declared sufficiently recovered for limited activities, and she began her 8th grade year with her classmates until she contracted the flu putting her back in bed for another year. Completing the 8th grade confined to bed, it was determined that she had recovered, and high school was the next step. The family home was a farm some distance from the nearest high school in Cedar Rapids, so they secured accommodations with a family and she attended high school there for 2 years. The 3rd year, she moved back with her folks, who had relocated to Iowa City, where she finished high school and 2 years of college. It was necessary for her to work to pay the tuition, so her classes were limited but productive.

While in college she met Berneil Kuchel whom she later married. They had 4 children – Lynn (now deceased), Jan, Stuart, and Mathew. Their life together involved several moves, one to Washington State, where her husband received his degree. Another move took them to Rawlins, Wyoming, where the two boys were born. Evie's love of music and cats followed and as she acquired sewing jobs outside of her home, she was able to purchase a piano.

Another job took the family (with the piano) to Worland, Wyoming. She was happy to have room for the family to enjoy a more relaxed life, with lots of open space for the boys and the school was active enough for the girls to make friends and enjoy their high school days.

Unfortunately, in 1970 the marriage became difficult and Evie and her husband were divorced. Evie moved with the children, aged 10 through 20, to Ft. Collins, Colorado. She found work with the University and developed a new and productive life for herself. It was 8 years later she met and married Bill Weddel. Bill brought to her family 2 step children Paula and Tom.

Bill and Evie were a well-known and socially active couple who participated in local musical and theatrical activities. They also travelled extensively both at home and abroad. They were committed members of the Unitarian Church and enjoyed numerous church related activities. The addition of her husband and the church to her life were a great support during the deaths of her parents, siblings, and her eldest daughter. Her love of music and cats never diminished, and was topped only by her love of family and friends.

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