Evelyn K. Zellmer, 77, Hays, died Saturday, May 30, 2026 at her home with her family by her side.
She was born August 30, 1948 in Norton, the daughter of Robert “Bob” and Marceline (Harrington) Hewett. She was a graduate of Almena High School with the class of 1966 and graduated from Fort Hays State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. Evelyn was a dedicated teacher at Victoria Elementary School from 1970-2007, and during those 37 years taught third grade and second grade. On August 9, 1969, she was united in marriage to David W. Zellmer in Almena. They celebrated 31 years of marriage before he preceded her in death on December 12, 2000.
Evelyn was a member of First United Methodist Church and often volunteered with church events. She kept busy in retirement with water aerobics, bowling league, traveling, and the Prairie Garden Club where she was a Master Gardener. Evelyn’s kind and caring nature was evident in her smile and the way she always had time to say hello and visit with friends and former students. Most of all, Evelyn had much love for her family, and her grandchildren were her pride and joy.
Survivors include her sons Matt Zellmer of Rapid City, SD and Andy Zellmer and wife Olivia of Hays, her daughter Keri Roche and husband Geoffrey of O’Fallon, IL, her brother Edward Hewett and wife Cathy of Thornton, CO, her sister Sandra Wolfram of Liberal, eight grandchildren Alyssa, Zackary, Allison, Kaitlyn, Ethan, Lucas, William, and Marcilyn, and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband David, an infant brother Donald Hewett, and her brother-in-law Larry Wolfram, and her niece Ashley Hewett.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Friday, June 12, 2026 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Susan Murithi officiating. Inurnment will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home and from 9:00 until service time on Friday at the church. Memorials are suggested to First United Methodist Church for the capital campaign or to Cancer Council of Ellis County. Condolences and memories of Evelyn may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com