Evelyn Moore, 100

Evelyn Moore, age 100, of New Prague, died peacefully with her family at her side, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at her home at Praha Village.  Evelyn was born April 4, 1925, to Joe and Emily (Holicky) O'Malley. She was raised on the family farm in rural Le Center along with her older sister, Eileen and younger brother, Alvin. She attended Le Center High School graduating in 1942. She was very active in school activities during high school.

 Following her high school graduation, Evelyn attended teacher's training for 9 months. After receiving her teaching certificate at age 18, she taught in a one-room county schoolhouse for 5 years. She taught students in grades 1-8. Her students loved her as their teacher. She kept the students warm during the winter months by stoking the wood-burning stove in the schoolroom.

 Evelyn met a handsome young gentleman, Merlin Moore, at a dance. She was at the dance with Merlin's youngest sister, Colleen. Evelyn and Merlin were the dancing king and queen in those days. They were the cutest pair gliding around the dance floor. They married on September 1, 1948. They were married almost 57 and a half years, until Merlin’s death from ALS on April 14, 2006. 

 In addition to being dance partners, Evelyn and Merlin were also close partners in their farm operation, as they operated their 120-acre farm, milked cows, raised Duroc hogs, sold farm seed for Farmer Seed and Nursery and later Pioneer Seed and Peterson Seed together. After the girls went to school, Evelyn worked as a waitress for many years at the New Prague (now Broz) Hotel. She has been an active and current member of St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in New Prague. Evelyn was a longtime member of the Progressive Homemakers, a Le Sueur County Home Extension group. She loved volunteering at the Dorothy Day Center, preparing and serving meals for the homeless, as well as helping a few times packing meals at Feed My Starving Children.

Evelyn was named the 1997 Outstanding Senior Citizen in Le Sueur County. She and Merlin are lifetime members of the Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Association, where they made corn brooms for many years.

 Evelyn would do ANYTHING for her family and was very involved in the lives of all generations. She cheered at countless athletic events and helped with ANY project a family member had! She raised beautiful flower and vegetable gardens and was exceptional at cooking, baking and canning. She made the most delicious tea rings, Christmas cookies and candy. She was known for writing kind notes to LOTS of people for their special accomplishments and occasions. She extended hospitality to neighbors and friends by making food for them when they were struggling in any way. Evelyn also loved traveling with Merlin, making trips around mainland U.S., Hawaii, Canada, and numerous trips to Ireland, where they made lasting friendships.

 Evelyn was adventurous (loved snowmobile, motorcycle and hot air balloon rides), fiercely independent, fun-loving, empathetic, stoic, feisty, a perfectionist, and the Sunshine Village's staff favorite adjective...spicy!  In her twilight years, as dementia took the woman that so many knew, the Irish glint in her eye, the gentle grin that lit up her face, and her one-line quips endeared her to the staff at the Sunshine Village.  Her legacy of kindness, optimism, and fun left a huge footprint that will be missed by her family and all who knew her.

Evelyn is survived by her devoted daughters, JeNean (Steve) Erickson of New Prague; Julie (Marc) Smith of Prior Lake; grandchildren, Megan (Paul) Giesen of New Prague, Brendan Erickson of Minneapolis; great-grandchildren, Emily & Ben Giesen of New Prague.  She is preceded in death by her husband; sister, Eileen Krenik; brother, Alvin O’Malley.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church with Father Kevin Clinton officiating.  Mass will be live-streamed on npcatholic.org.  Visitation will take place Sunday from 4-7 p.m. and Monday morning from 7:30-9:30 at Bruzek Funeral Home. Private family burial will occur at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery. Lunch will follow for everyone at the Ridges at Sand Creek.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hops For Hope, an organization that helps support medical research for ALS and dementia, two diseases that impacted her life.  Donations can be made online at http://web.alsa.org/goto/HopsForHope-2025 or mail to HFH/Raising Hope, PO Box 401, New Prague, MN  56071 . 

bruzekfuneralhome.com