Evelyn Faun (Agee) Celander
November 09, 2014
Evelyn Faun (Agee) Celander passed away on Sunday November 9, 2014 at the age of 88. Evelyn was born in Ottumwa, IA on November 4, 1926 to Roy and Ona Agee. She attended Drake University where she met and married her life’s partner David Robert Celander (“Bob”) in 1946.
After graduating from Drake, Evelyn traveled with Bob to Iowa City, IA as he enrolled, attended and graduated from the University of Iowa with a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Though Evelyn was admitted to the Phi Beta Kappa Society as a junior class candidate majoring in Journalism at Drake, she quickly learned organic chemistry and biochemistry to support her blind-at-birth husband in his academic and professional pursuits. She became a biochemistry researcher and professor at the University of Texas-Galveston Medical Branch and College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery (now Des Moines University), where she retired in 1992 as Emeritus Associate Professor of Biochemistry with a Masters of Science in Biochemistry and an honorary Doctorate of Science.
She became loving mother to Andrew David and Daniel Walter while she and Bob lived in Galveston, TX in 1955 and 1959, respectively, and to Jeananne Marie in 1962 after the family returned to Des Moines in 1961. Her husband and first-born son passed in the winter of 1977. Her only brother Lloyd Wayne Agee passed away in 2008.
Evelyn was highly active in her religious faith, belonging to the Patricia Park United Brethren Church in Christ from 1963 to its closing in 2000 and to the Central Community Free Methodist Church from 2000 to 2014. Evelyn participated as organist, pianist, classroom teacher and Board member at both institutions. When she was not busy preparing and editing church newsletters, weekly bulletins and studying the Bible, she enjoyed solving the New York Times Puzzle, Jumble, watching television quiz shows, and sharing Bible story readings with her 4 year-old grandson, Dustin.
Evelyn waited with delight in her life as her children married late in life. Her son Daniel married his wife Evon in 2007 who gave birth to her grandson Dustin Robert Celander in 2009. Her daughter Jeananne married Scott Kleckner in 2010. She is survived by Daniel, Jeananne, Evon, Scott and Dustin.
The family welcomes memorial contributions for distribution to those non-profit charities, organizations and institutions that Evelyn cared most about.
Services will be held at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines on Friday, November 14, 2014 at 10 a.m. Visitation will be held the night before from 4 to 6 p.m. also at the funeral home.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Julie (Berger) Curley
11/14/2014
What an amazing woman your mother has always been. So loving, so kind. I will always love her and hold my memories of her close.
Much Love, Julie
Lavonne Talbott McCoy
11/13/2014
So sorry for loss of your Mother. (I am one of her cousins but we
didn't know each other very well.
Her Mom & my Dad were brother & sister)
Pat & Chuck McBurney
11/13/2014
Sharen & Karen: So sorry to hear of the loss of your Aunt Evelyn. We meet her several time over the years, she was at our house a couple of times, she was a Sweet and Classy Lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Peace be with you. (Niece of Lloyd & Edna Agee)
Charles (Chip) Finch, D.O.
11/12/2014
Dr. Colander will be missed. She is one incredible individual, professor, and friend. I learned so much from her as a first year medical student in Biochemistry. Her ability to recall and teach with her eyes closed -- reading and recall -- truly amazing. She touched many lives who are now making differences in others across the country.
Ricardo and Pauline Delgado
11/12/2014
Dan, my son in law, daughter, Evon and my grandbaby Dustin:
We are so very sorry for your loss, your wonderful mom, Evelyn. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Love you Dearly!!!
Jane Walker
11/12/2014
Jeananne and Family - I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mother .... hugs and prayers to you and your family!
Mick Blubaugh
11/12/2014
Dan, Jeananne and family; Please accept my sincerest condolences regarding the loss of your Mother.
Sue Huppert
11/12/2014
Dr. Celander was a treasure to Des Moines University as she taught biochemistry for over 30 years and was a member of our Emeriti Faculty after her retirement. We will miss her smiling face at our luncheons.
Jo Ellen (Wathen) Neemann
11/11/2014
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother, Evelyn. She was a wonderful woman and a dear friend to my mother, Lois. She will be missed by many.