Dorene M. Evans

Dorene Margaret (Wainwright) Evans was born on April 13, 1923 in Gretna, Nebraska on the family

farm. She was the second of three children and had to help with chores around the farm. She would

later tell her children gathering eggs was the worst and was no longer allowed to drive the tractor after

a “mishap” of nearly running over her Dad’s foot. Dorene attended a one room school house and upon

graduation, her mother encouraged her to continue her education. She enrolled in St. Catherine’s

Nursing program and had to work long hours at the hospital during the evening and then attend classes

during the day.

Dorene was inducted into the Navy during WWII and was assigned to care for the troops returning from

war. She was proud her entire life to have served as an Officer in the Navy in nursing. After WWII she

attended Creighton University earning her Masters degree in nursing. While at Creighton, she met

Charles Evans who was finishing his law degree. She often reminisced about taking the Omaha street

car and meeting him at the Brown Derby. They married at her home church of St. Patrick’s in Gretna in

1950. Later, their son Doug was born and Dorene continued her career by doing private duty nursing

during the evening. She was proud that one of her patients was Father Flanigan. She later worked for a

meatpacking plant helping injured workers until she finally became employed by OPS as a school nurse.

The family lived in the Cathedral area and then her second child was born (Patti). The family moved out

west and joined St. Robert’s Parish while the parishioners were still going to church at the Crestridge

School gym while the church was being built.

Dorene enjoyed playing bridge, shopping, and entertaining her friends. She loved family vacations in

Estes Park and Okoboji with extended family. Dorene retired from OPS after 32 years often spending

her days with grandchildren, taking them to the park, and playing Old Maid and Skip Bo with them. She

also traveled, including trips to Europe and Hawaii with her sister. She was able to stay in her own home

until the age of 92 and then moved to assisted living.

Dorene loved her family and asked about them often. She was always there to offer no nonsense advice

and cheer them on. She taught them how to be strong, love, and trust God with everything. When

Dorene was told of needs, she often said a Rosary for them. You could not ask for a better mother and

grandmother! Dorene was loved dearly and will be greatly missed.



Preceded in death by her husband, Charles Evans. Survived by her children, Doug (Jan) Evans and Patti (Chuck) Freyermuth; grandchildren, Christi, David (Amy), Nick, Evan, Kaitlin and Jarid; & 4 great grandchildren.