Evelyn Callen

Evelyn Callen, 95, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away May 1, 2021 at Taylor House (Unity Point Hospice).

Evelyn (Delpierre) Callen was born in Tipperary, Iowa on September 14, 1925 to Philip and Eva (Dernovich) Delpierre. She attended Williamson school through eighth grade and graduated from Chariton High school with the class of 1943. She married Dale Callen on July 31, 1949 and they made their home in Des Moines, where they raised 3 children. Evelyn was always active in volunteering to support her children’s school and church activities, and her community. Evelyn and Dale enjoyed 54 years together before he passed in 2003. Dale enjoyed his large garden, and Evelyn enjoyed canning and freezing their produce, and sharing the surplus with many friends and family. They also enjoyed traveling with friends, but found that home was always the best. Evelyn also enjoyed cooking for large groups at church and social clubs. Evelyn worked for Hawkeye Breeders for 17 years, where she joked that she was a “bull shipper”.

Evelyn and Dale were long time members of Grand View Lutheran Church. Evelyn was one of the first women to serve on the church council, and to assist with serving communion. She also served on the boards of the Croatian Slavic Center, and Thrivent for several years.

Evelyn loved fishing, mushroom hunting, dancing, baking bread and cards, especially cribbage. She took great joy in sharing about her 29-point hand.

She is survived by her son, Bruce (Sandy) Callen, her daughter, Sheri (Maurice) Passwater, a sister, Marguerite Heston, a sister-in-law, Barbara Delpierre, Grandchildren Linda (Antoine) Parker, Andrew (Andrea) Peek, Jenna (Lucas) Anderson, Michael Callen, 8 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband Dale, son Craig Callen, brother-in-law Ernest Heston and brothers Philip Delpierre jr. and Richard Delpierre.

A celebration of life service for the family will be held on Thursday, May 6 at 2:00 pm at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave. Des Moines, IA 50313, with burial at Highland Memory Gardens to follow. Light refreshments will be offered in the basement of the funeral home at 1:30, with a luncheon to follow after the burial.

Memorial donations can be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation, or Unity Point Hospice.

Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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