Evelyn Louise O’Roke died at the Adams County Regional Hospital on April 3, 2025, at the age of 89 years.
She was born on September 15, 1935, at Twin Grove Township, Greenwood County near Piedmont, Ks., the daughter of Richard E. and Alice C. (Garner) Collinson. Evelyn attended grade school in Piedmont, Ks. and high school in Leadville, Co. After finishing school, she married George O. Jackson and had two children: David A. Jackson and Kathleen M. (Jackson) McConnell. After the death of George, Evelyn married Clinton E. O’ Roke. She was a homemaker and a volunteer to help her children’s homeroom teacher. On May 31, 1953, Evelyn was united in marriage to George O. Jackson in Leadville, Co. In 1954, she and George went to live in Naturita, Co. for work until 1965. They returned to Leadville, Co., then went to Eureka, Ks. for a year, following George’s job. Evelyn and George returned to Naturita. Co. and in 1979 moved to Eureka, Ks. In 2017, Evelyn moved to Winchester, Ohio after the death of her second husband, Clinton E. O’Roke and only son, David A. Jackson; so, Evelyn could be with her only living child, Kathleen M. McConnell.
Evelyn was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in El Dorado, Ks. She loved being with her family and telling family history.
When she was married to George, they loved to hike, go four-wheeling, and look for rocks to decorate with. When she was married to Clinton, they loved to travel long distance, enjoy family outings, and camping.
She is survived by her one daughter, Kathleen M. (Jackson) McConnell; five grandsons, Bryan R. McConnell, William R. Tracey, Nicholas D. Jackson, Wyatt Jackson, and Elijah Jackson; daughter-in-law Nina Jackson; Sister-in-law, Julia Jackson; two nephews, Chris Jackson, and Scott Jackson; one niece, Raelene (Zurawski) Springer; Co. cousins, Terri Bartell & family plus the Malmgren family; Ks. cousins Harold (Patsy) Garner and family; stepson, Steve O’Roke (Annette) and family; extended family, Opal O’Roke, Larry Alderman and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, two husbands, a son, and a brother-in-law, Walter Jackson.
A graveside service will be held at the Greenwood County Cemetery in Eureka, Ks. on June 4, 2025, with Rev. Lance Carrithers officiating.
