Evelyn Mae Massek

Evelyn Mae Massek, 87, passed away Tuesday, February 28, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. Evelyn was born September 16, 1924, in Centralia, Kansas, the daughter of Daniel Henry Smith and May Ellen Smith. Evelyn graduated from Centralia High School in 1944, and moved with her mother and younger sister to Topeka, Kansas. After moving to Topeka, she married Walter L. North, Sr. in Lawrence, Kansas. Walter passed away on April 8, 1977. She then married Everett Massek on January 19, 1980, at Otterbein United Methodist Church. She and Everett had met in high school and had a wonderful life together until his passing on June 13, 1996.

Evelyn was a homemaker until 1969, when she started working at the Topeka Presbyterian Manor until she retired in 1989. She was a long time member of Otterbein United Methodist Church, now known as New Hope Methodist Church. She enjoyed her Sunday School Class and singing in the choir. She was a loving mother, grandma, and great-grandma. She loved watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports, and particularly loved playing Bingo. Evelyn was the oldest of four siblings and was preceded in death by two brothers, Daniel Smith and Wilbur Smith; and sister, Betty Anderson.

Survivors include daughter, Delores Mae (North) Kirkpatrick of Lawrence, KS; grandson, Jeff Kirkpatrick and wife Janette of Lawrence, KS; granddaughter, Chrystal Forbes and husband Jarrod of Chesterfield, MO; great-granddaughter, Kennedy Kirkpatrick; great-grandson, Parker Kirkpatrick of Lawrence, KS; great-grandson, Preston Forbes; and great-granddaughter, Addison Forbes of Chesterfield, Mo. Also surviving are step-son, Walter L. North, Jr. and wife Karen of Topeka, KS; along with two grandchildren, Joe North, of Texas and Michelle North and her two children of Topeka, KS.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 5, at Mt. Hope Cemetery & Mausoleum Chapel, 17th & Fairlawn, Topeka. Mrs. Massek will lie in state after 3:00 p.m. Sunday at Penwell-Gabel Mid Town Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lawrence Memorial Endowment Association for the Palliative Care Unit, 325 Maine, Suite 201, Lawrence, KS 66044.