R. Evelyn Cerven, the daughter of Glenn and Candace (Lathrop) Damewood, was born February 11, 1937, in Clarinda, Iowa. She attended Clarinda High School, graduating in 1955.

Evelyn was united in marriage to Orville Crane and they became the parents of Dave. Orville later passed away. On July 16, 1967, Evelyn was united in marriage to C. Duane Cerven in The Little Brown Church, Nashua, Iowa. They became the parents of two children, Deb and Darin. Duane passed away on February 16, 2023.

Evelyn was a homemaker and a farmer’s wife, raising livestock and row crops. She took great pride in mowing and improving her land.

Evelyn was a member of the Westboro Methodist Church, serving on a number of committees. She was also a member of Stateline Pinochle Club. Evelyn enjoyed playing board games with her family, gardening, flowers, and canning. She loved fishing and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandson, Clark. Evelyn passed away Tuesday, August 14, 2023, in Shenandoah, Iowa, at the age of 86.

Besides her parents and husband, Duane, Evelyn was preceded in death by grandson, Sam Fletcher; daughter-in-law, Cyndi Cerven; siblings, Darrell, Bud, and Eldon; and infant brother, Carrol Damewood. Survivors include children, Dave Cerven, Bowling Green, Missouri, Deb (Scott) Fletcher, Tarkio, Missouri, and Darin (Mary Kate) Cerven, Blanchard, Iowa; grandchildren, Evan (Kelsey) Cerven, Seth (fiancée, Jackie Bradley) Fletcher, Jake (MacKenzie) Cerven, and Kyle Cerven; great-grandson, Clark Cerven; siblings, Eula (Gene) Bennett and Darwin Damewood; sister-in-law, Dorothy Hicks; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the Westboro Methodist Church, Westboro, Missouri. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, prior to the service. Inurnment will be at Union Grove Cemetery, Northboro, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the Westboro Methodist Church, Westboro. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Tarkio. Online condolences may be left at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.