Evelyn Garry

Evelyn Helen (Hoffman) Garry was born March 1, 1927, in Bridgewater SD, to Ed and Caroline (Determan) Hoffman, the 3rd of 8 children.  She died August 16, 2022 at Brookings SD.

Wake service will be at the Salem Kinzley Funeral Home on Thursday, August 18^th at 7 pm with family present from 5-7 to greet guests.  Funeral mass in Bridgewater at St. Stephen Catholic Church at 10 am on Friday, August 19th, with burial at Salem at St Mary’s Cemetery.

Raised in the Dirty Thirties on the family farm, she learned the skill of sewing, which she used to clothe children and make quilts for so many in her later years.

She met Russ Garry, they danced at Stanley Corner, and married August 21, 1950. They raised 9 children while living in Sioux Falls (1950-51), Gregory (1951-1972), and Webster (1972-2017). Recently, she was in Brookings health care facilities Stoney Brook and ULC.

She is survived by her siblings Alida Ahlers, Sharon Tuschen, and Jerry Hoffman; in laws Anabelle Hoffman, Ray Schoenfelder, Veronica Garry, and Sr. Elaine Garry PBVM; children Susan Garry, Gordon (Marsha) Garry, Fr.Ron Garry, Byron Garry, Todd (Angie) Garry, Colleen (Rob) Helms, Elaine (Doug) Block, Jennifer Garry; 14 grandchildren: Ben (Emma), Zach, Russ (Lexi), Josh, Megan, Theo (April), Joe, Sunnie, Heather, Mariah, Amber, Katie (Travis), Antonia (Will), and Sam; and great grandchildren, Ava, Micah, River and Vivian

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Russ in 1988, stillborn daughter Mary in 1955, daughter Gail in 2003, siblings Harold, Delores, Norb, and MaryAnn, and many in laws and friends.

She enjoyed the large family reunions. To feed her family, she cultivated gardens, and canned fruit for the long winters. Their parties in the Gregory ‘Hahn house’ basement were legendary. When Russ started the family camping trips, she made donuts for sale and for hungry kids. In the days of cloth diapers, she was grateful to extended family and friends for childcare during summer bus trips. Her devotion in Gregory St. Joseph and Webster Christ the King churches served God and community. She wrapped people in loving quilts, at first with Dakotah fabric and old jeans from the Webster thrift store. She enjoyed reading of strong prairie women. Her faith, hope, and love are an enduring legacy.