Wilbur Eugene "Gene" Evans was born September 10, 1938, the son of Wilbur O. and Viola M. (Holaday) Evans in Hays, KS. He left this world to be in the healing arms of Jesus on October, 2, 2020, at the age of 82.
Gene was raised to manhood on the family farm southeast of Gove, KS in the Missouri Flats area. Gene attended grade school at the East Lone Star country school and Quinter High School graduating in 1957. He then attended Fort Hays State University graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor Degree in Mathematics. After college, he joined his father and brother, Gary, on the family farm and eventually bought his own farm nearby from his Great Uncle, Charles J. Evans.
In April of 1971, he married Marjorie Lea Goldsby of Lenora, KS. To join this union, two daughters were born, Gina Lea and April DeAnn.
Gene was very active in farming, community, and county affairs. He served many years on the Farm Bureau Board and the Gove County 4-H Extension Council. He also served 15 years on the Gove City Council with three years of service as mayor of Gove. Gene has been a member of the Quinter United Methodist Church, the Gove United Methodist Church, and was most recently a member of the Gove Community Bible Church. Gene served as a board member for many years in all three churches as a trustee and on the finance committee. He was named a lifetime elder at the Gove Community Bible Church. Gene’s Cerebral Palsy may have slowed him down at times, but it never stopped him. He won numerous awards in agriculture while in high school and in 4-H. He later was a 4-H Community Leader while his children were involved in the program. A number of 4-H calves from his own herd were sold to youngsters to help them get started. Gene was also considered a mentor to many young farmers as they worked with him.
His wife, children, and grandchildren have always been the light of his life. He loved spending time with his family, mentoring his kids and grandsons, and watching them grow.
Gene and Marjorie retired from the farm in 1998 and moved to Gove. His last few years were spent in the Long-Term Care in Quinter. While there, he was involved in as many activities and projects as possible. Church services and men’s Bible study were very much a priority. His Christian testimony radiated in every way through him. He rededicated his life by choosing to be baptized again at the age of 80.
Surviving are his wife, Marjorie, of the home; two daughters, Gina (John) Price, Rush Center, KS, and April (Travis) Kelso, Sterling, KS; three grandsons, Weston Price, Wilson, KS, Cody (Kaylyn) Price, Overland Park, KS, and Grayson Kelso, Sterling, KS; two brothers, Carl (Cheryl) Evans, Irmo, SC, and Darrel (Kathy) Evans, Quinter, KS; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, Gary Evans, and a sister-in-law, Sally Evans.
A private service will be held for immediate family only. There will be a public graveside service at 11:00 AM Friday, October 9, 2020, at Gove City Cemetery, masks and social distancing encouraged. The funeral service will be livestreamed on the CBC Facebook page and at govecbc.com.
Memorials are suggested to Gove Community Bible Church, Gove Community Building Fund, and Gove County Medical Center Long Term Care. Donations to the organizations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 901 S. Main St. Quinter, KS 67752.
Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.schmittfuneral.com