Eva Marie Piper

Eva Marie Piper 97 formerly of Delavan died Friday, March 2, 2012 in Mankato She was born in Wells, Minnesota on August 23, 1914, to Elwin and Nellie (Nelson) Hicks. Her parents died in 1922 from tuberculosis. After a short period of uncertainty, she was taken in and raised by her Uncle Carl and Aunt Hulda ("Fudge") Nelson, along with her brothers Elwin and Gerald. Eva graduated from Wells High School in 1932 and from the teacher training program in Wells in 1933. She started her teaching career in country schools but left teaching in 1938 to care for her Aunt Fudge, who had cancer. Eva married Clark Piper November 22, 1938 in Winnebago. The couple lived and farmed near Delavan for many years. In 1953, Eva resumed teaching and attending college, getting her bachelor's degree from Mankato State in 1960. She taught in Twin Lakes, Kiester, Delavan, Hayden, Arizona and Bricelyn (16 years). She loved teaching children. She was artistic, and enjoyed drawing, painting, writing poetry, directing plays, and reading. Eva was preceded in death by her parents, her Aunt Fudge and Uncle Carl, brother Elwin (Bunny) Hicks and wife Phil, sister Lozira Wuerflein and husband Marlin, brother Gerald Hicks and wife Evelyn, in laws I.L. and Katherine Piper, sister-in-law Sister Mary Maurice O.S.M., brother-in-law Claire (Spike) Piper and wife Geneva, niece Sister Tressa Piper, nephews Bradley Hicks, Philip Piper, Padric Piper, and by her husband and sons Craig and Irving. She is survived by son LaMar Piper and wife Sue, their sons Matthew, David, James, and Zachary, daughter-in-law Cecelia Piper and her sons Christopher and Ryan (Morgan) Piper, great grandson Ryan, and many nieces, nephews and their families. A memorial visitation will be on Friday, March 9, 2012 at Spencer Owen Funeral Home in Winnebago from 6 to 8 pm.