Evelyn Marie Griffiths, 92, passed away October 29, 2020. She was born October 4, 1928, in Long Island, Kansas to Henry and Hattie (Van Kooten) Erickson.
Evelyn grew up in Long Island and graduated from Long Island High School in 1946. She attended Brown Mackie Business College in Salina and later worked for the Bureau of Reclamation in Indianola, Nebraska. On June 10, 1949, she married Bernard Griffiths. Evelyn and Bernard raised their two sons in Long Island and were proud owners of the Commercial State Bank there for many years.
Evelyn loved to travel and enjoyed trips with friends and family throughout the United States and Europe. Evelyn's home was always open for family gatherings and holidays and, later in life, she regularly hosted aunts, uncles, sister, brother, cousins, sons and friends for Friday morning coffee and sweets. A grand time was always had by all as they reminisced about family and discussed the future of America. Evelyn was always fond of her five grandchildren, and made sure to reward them for every good report card they showed her. Evelyn was an active volunteer in the Long Island community and devoted her time to the Long Island Library and Community Center. She was baptized and a Life Member of the Luctor Christian Reformed Church.
Evelyn is survived by: her sons, Douglas (Karen) Griffiths of Norton and Scott (Robbie) Griffiths of Long Island; four grandchildren Tara Griffiths of Milford,Ne., John (Kenzie) Griffiths of Norton, Joel (Hillary) Griffiths of Overland Park, and Henry (Meredith) Griffiths of Long Island; five great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; sister Ilene Johnson; brother Norman Erickson; eight nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 42 years, Bernard, infant daughter Pamela, sister in law Rose Erickson and brother in law Paul Johnson.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 2, 2020, in the Long Island Cemetery, Long Island, KS with Reverend Shawn Richardson officiating. The services will be streamed live on Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel Facebook page.
Mrs. Griffiths will lie in state from noon until 9 p.m. Sunday at the Olliff-Boeve Memorial Chapel, Phillipsburg.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Andbe Home, Long Island Community Building or Long Island Library.