Evelyn Voigt, 94, of Taopi, passed peacefully into the kingdom of heaven while residing at Wildwood Grove on Monday evening, July 8, 2024
Evelyn Marion Bly was born February 8, 1930, to Glenn Jr. and Amber (Rucker) Bly in Spring Valley, Minn. She grew up on the family farm south of Spring Valley and graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1948. While at an April dance at the Odd Fellows Club she would meet the love of her life, Raymond “Ray” Voigt. Evelyn was married to Raymond Voigt on September 11, 1949, at the First Baptist Church in Spring Valley. To this union, six children were born: Norm, Larry, Ron, Cindy, Randy and Char. They had celebrated 66 years of marriage before Ray’s death, April 21, 2016.
Ev was no stranger to hard work. The oldest of nine, she grew up doing fieldwork with horses. She also would stay with her grandparents Glenn Sr. and Hazel in Spring Valley, which allowed her to work in town sewing and pressing clothes. Evelyn was an excellent homemaker, cook, baker, farm wife, mother and grandmother. She often helped Ray do fieldwork and chores. She could drive a tractor or grain truck, milk cows, and raise chickens; all while being an attentive mother and grandmother.
Ray and Ev farmed the family farm on the east side of Taopi their entire marriage. Evelyn was a member of Taopi Evangelical Church and involved in Mission Band, Bethany Bible Church, LeRoy, a member of the Leroy Saddle Club, Taopi Rustler’s 4-H member/leader, drove junior high football players to their football games back in the ‘60s, and loved her flower and vegetable gardens. Cooking and baking was her passion. There was always a recipe to try, many of which were jotted down on the back of an envelope or scrap piece of paper. She loved to cook for the farmers who came together at harvest time to help one another, participated in cooking contests and won an Austin Daily Herald contest with her barbecued ribs, which is still a family favorite today. In addition to her curiosity of new recipes, one could always count on her staple treats of peanut clusters, Chex mix, chocolate chip cookies and banana bread to be available when stopping in. Her love of cooking and baking was passed down through generations, creating a cookbook of family favorites with her children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren.
Family was the center of Ev and Ray’s life. Ev had unconditional love for all. Campouts at her parents’ land, horse camping with relatives, friends, and saddle club members around Mower and Fillmore Counties, especially Forestville State Park. She was known for making blueberry pancake breakfasts for many. She loved rural life and her community of Taopi, Minn. She seldom missed a Bly Family Reunion and kept records for the Glenn and Amber Bly Family, and attended many class reunions.
Evelyn is survived by her children Norm (Beth) Voigt of Nashwauk, Minn., Larry (Dianna) Voigt of Adams, Cindy (Chuck) Landherr of Rochester, Randy (RoeAnn) Voigt of Taopi, and Char Osmundson of Leroy; daughter-in-law Sherrie Voigt of Austin, 19 grandchildren 39 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren; sisters Joann Harang, Irene Hyland, Pat Davis, Judy Bly, Carolyn (Robert) Omar and Debbie Hoeft; and many nieces and nephews. Ev will be missed immensely by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother Carrol, husband Ray, son Ron, one infant grandson and two infant great-grandchildren, and her two brothers, Bobby Bly and Jerry Bly.
Visitation will take place at the Hindt Funeral Home, 615 Broadway, LeRoy, Minn., on Sunday afternoon, July 14 from 2-5 p.m., and beginning at 10 a.m. prior to the service on Monday, July 15.
Funeral services for Evelyn Voigt will be Monday, July 15, 11 a.m., at Bethany Bible Church, with burial at the Woodlawn Cemetery, Taopi. Pastor Mike Kroeker will be officiating.
The family would like to thank the staff of Wildwood Grove Assisted Living and Memory Care for their caregiving, kindness, and compassion for the past three years.
Condolences may be left online at hindtfuneralhomes.com.
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