Evelyn Jean Waller-Genheimer's Obituary
Evelyn Waller was born on Tuesday, March 3, 1936 in Detroit, Michigan to Wayne and Ina (McIlvain) Waller. At the age of 7, she gave her heart to Jesus. Evelyn’s mother went to be with the Lord when Evelyn was a young girl. Her father was left with four young children to raise. Her older sister, Dorothy, met Rita Erhardt, while attending Pioneer Girls. Rita’s mother, Catherine, was widowed with three children to raise. Dorothy and Rita put their heads together and introduced Wayne to Catherine. They did marry and raise all seven children together. Growing up in the family of nine was quite an adventure. On Sundays, the family would all pile into the old 4-door Ford to go to church. When they unloaded, it looked like that little car one sees with so many clowns getting out of it. Often, on the return trip home, an extra one or two would come along for Sunday dinner. It was said that the only time the Waller house was quiet was when they prayed before meals. Growing up, Evelyn was very active in youth and church activities. Over the years, she remained in contact with many friends from her early life and enjoyed sharing all kinds of stories and funny memories with them. She was a known mischief maker who made fun by playing tricks on friends, like short sheeting their beds.
Evelyn earned her Registered Nurse Degree from Deaconess Hospital in Detroit, and her BS degree in Missionary Nursing from Fort Wayne Bible College. She dedicated her life to serve in foreign missions as a nurse and had a strong desire to serve in Africa. She applied and was accepted to the Africa Evangelical Fellowship (AEF) mission. After packing and shipping barrels of items she would need for her first term (five years) of service, she began her journey from New York to Luampa, Zambia on June 26, 1963.
From Africa, Ev corresponded using special “Air form” letters to keep her family and supporters up to date with all that was happening in her life and ministry. At Luampa Mission Hospital, Evelyn worked as a nurse, mentored African nurses, held children’s meetings and spoke at women’s conferences. In 1971 she helped to start Nurses Christian Fellowship at Luampa, providing Bible study and fellowship for nurses. She later became assistant to the Honorary Secretary and then acting Honorary Secretary of the Zambia Christian Nurses Fellowship (ZCNF). In 1979, Evelyn moved to Ndola, on loan to the ZCNF to disciple nurses. At
the same time, she was managing the AEF missionary guest house. In 1987 she moved to Kitwe. From 1987-1990, she served as the training coordinator with ZCNF. In 1990 Evelyn began working in AEF’s Christian Education Department (CED) typesetting lessons for Theological Education by Extension (TEE). At the local church in Kitwe, she served as a deaconess and taught Sunday School, youth and women.
Over the years, Evelyn had many health issues that required medical attention—sometimes in Zambia, but other times in South Africa or the USA. In 1968 she went to Johannesburg, South Africa for surgery and lived with the Don and Eileen Genheimer family for many months of recuperation. She became part of the Genheimer family—“Little Sis” to Eileen and Aunty Ev to the kids.
When Evelyn returned “home” to America on furlough, her family loved listening to her tell many stories of life in Zambia. Her nieces and nephews enjoyed Aunt Evie because she loved to laugh, have fun and play games. In some of her silly moments, she taught the kids how to cheat. They would tell all their friends that their aunt, who was a missionary, taught them how to cheat. Her family and friends looked forward to these special furlough times.
In June 1998, Evelyn retired from AEF and traveled from Africa to Michigan one final time. Later that year, she went to Bradenton Missionary Village (BMV, now Il Villaggio) for a 6-month winter stay and decided that was where God had a home for her retirement. She had many happy years living at Il Villaggio and developed lasting friendships there. When BMV had a medical clinic, she was able to use her love for nursing to serve her fellow retirees. Even though she retired in the USA, much of her heart remained in Africa. She attended Zambia missionary reunions in the USA and stayed in touch with her Africa family.
On July 6, 2013. Evelyn and Donald Genheimer were married at the Rossi Center in Il Villaggio, surrounded by friends and family. Together, they’ve enjoyed many activities at Il Villaggio such as chapel, game nights and bible study. They attended First Baptist Church, Palmetto. Ev and Don also enjoyed family gatherings and taking trips to visit family and friends in The USA and Africa. Even as she struggled with many health challenges, Evelyn’s faith was strong. Her life commitment was, “Not I, but God.”
Evelyn Jean Waller-Genheimer went to be with her Lord on June 12, 2018 at the age of 82. She is survived by her husband: Donald Genheimer of Bradenton, FL; siblings: Robert & (Beverly) Waller, of Brown City, MI, Judy (Erhardt) & Philip Frantz of Fenton, MI; step-children: Patty & (Ralph) Austen of Bradenton, FL, Peter & (Lorelei) Genheimer of North Branch, MN, Barb & (Gavin) Gatzke of Chisago City, MN, Bob & (Esther) Genheimer of Botswana, Becky & (Butch), Morley of Bradenton, FL; grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great nieces & great nephews; and many family and long-time friends who will miss her dearly. She was preceded in death by her parents: Ina and Wayne Waller; step-mother: Catherine (Erhardt) Waller; brothers: Thomas Waller of Brown City, MI, Fred Erhardt of Mt Clemens, MI; sisters: Dorothy (Waller) Boynton of Windsor, ONT and Rita (Erhardt) Golden of Orlando, FL.
Visitation (10:30am) and Memorial Service (11:30am) Saturday, June 23 at the Rossi Center, Il Villaggio, 1200 Aurora Blvd, Bradenton FL 34212. A light lunch will be served following the service.
Burial at 2:30pm at Skyway Memorial Gardens, 5200 US 19 North, Palmetto, FL 34221.
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