Evelyn Garde
Champaign, IL |
Evelyn J. Garde, 83, died at 7:40pm on Wednesday, January 27, 2016. A lifelong Edwardsville/Glen Carbon resident, Evelyn spent her final two years in Champaign to be near her daughter. She passed away quietly, after a long illness, at Illini Heritage Rehab and Health Care.
Evelyn was born on August 6, 1932 to the late Stephen and Anna (Pitonak) Poydack. She attended St. Boniface Grade School and Edwardsville High School, graduating in 1950. Her 40-year career at Granite City Steel began in 1954, and in 1967 she married Michael J. Garde at St. Boniface Church. Mike died unexpectedly in June of 2013, after caring for her selflessly for many years.
Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Jamie), her sister Clara (Fred) Autenrieb, sisters-in-law Katie (Mike) Szwedo and Mary Garde, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Her sister Teeny (Matt) Piskulic and brother in law Pat Garde preceded her in death.
Evelyn was a devoted mother and Auntie, an avid crafter and card player, and a pie-baking machine. She fought a battle with Parkinson’s with a fierce and unyielding tenacity that amazed all who knew her. And somehow, her wit and humor remained after so many other things were lost to dementia. She was greatly loved and admired, and will be forever missed.
Visitation will be from 2pm to 5pm on Sunday, January 31, 2016, at Saksa – Mateer Funeral Home in Edwardsville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30am on Monday, February 1, 2016, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville. The Very Reverend Jeffrey Goeckner will be the celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery in Edwardsville.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Boniface Catholic School in Edwardsville, or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.
