Evelyn Maher

Evelyn Evie Maher, 94, of La Crosse, passed away on Friday, March 2, 2012 at the Bethany St. Joseph Care Center surrounded by her children. Evelyn was born on June 24, 1917 to Frank and Gussie (Price) Biederman in Durand, WI, the fourth of five children. During the early years she helped her mother with house work and did a lot of sketching when time allowed. She attended high school in Durand and after school she worked in a beauty salon and eventually earned her license as a beautician. Evelyn met Glen Maher of Mondovi at a dance after a football game. After high school she moved to Mondovi and worked at a beauty salon. Evelyn and Glen were married on March 30, 1940. They lived with their young family in Mondovi until 1949 when Glen became the Administrator of Grandview Hospital in La Crosse. The family lived at 1900 Main Street for 30 years and this became the home and gathering place for family and friends. Evelyn and Glen had eight children. Tommy, an infant son, died shortly after birth. Raising her seven children was a full time job, her passion, and her calling. Evie loved to cook and bake and her children remember fresh baked warm bread, pies, cakes, cookies, and her specialty, caramel rolls. Her children are thankful to both of their parents for their childhood memories, there success in life, and their Christian values.

Evelyn is survived by her children and grandchildren, Michael Maher and his children, Michael, Kate and Becky, Tim Maher, David (Mary Jo) Maher and their daughter Amy, Patricia (David) Vandervelde and their daughters, Loralei and Lisa, Mary (Brian) Maher-Lehmann and their daughter Talia, and Don (Jerilyn) Maher and their daughters Catie and Maggie, also grandsons Scott, Steve, Sam and Slade, a brother Perry (Lou) Biederman, and twelve great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Glen, a daughter Catherine Kitty Wojahn, a son Tommy, her brothers Darrel, Paul and Vernie, and a sister-in-law Beatrice Biederman.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 5th, 2012 at 11:00 AM at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home of La Crosse. Rev. David Olson will officiate. Entombment will follow in the Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday from 10:00 AM until the time of services. Memorials may be given to the Mayo Health System Breast Cancer Center.