White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Evelyn M. VanLaningham Ohrt, 89 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Saturday, July 1, 2017, at ABCM Rehab Center of Independence – West Campus.  She was born on November 20, 1927, in Stanley, Iowa, the daughter of George Herman and Ethel Mae (Eschen) Kuper.  She graduated from high school in Independence with the Class of 1945.  After graduation, Evelyn worked at a variety of jobs, such as Tegen’s, Jack & Jill Grocery, Pinicon Hotel, Micro Switch, (all in Independence, Iowa) Triangle Plastics in Winthrop, Iowa, Family Rexall Drug Store in Hutchinson, Minnesota, and Walgreen Drug, in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  In 1975 Evelyn attended a Secretarial Workshop at Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo, Iowa, and in 1979 became involved with the Minnesota Literacy Council, helping individuals learn to read and write.

On May 11, 1947, she and David Otto VanLaningham were married at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Independence.  They later divorced.  On January 18, 1997, she and Kenneth Eugene Ohrt were married in Dunkerton, Iowa.  In addition to time spent with her family and friends, she enjoyed attending school and church programs of her grandchildren and attending her many class reunions.  She also enjoyed traveling, camping, sewing, and crochet.  A favorite pastime was bowling.  Evelyn was a life time member of the Women’s International Bowling Congress.

Evelyn is survived by sons, Terry VanLaningham of Waverly, Iowa, and Bob (Dan) VanLaningham of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, daughter, Eva (Steven) Lorenz of Ankeny, Iowa, daughter-in-law, Diane VanLaningham of Hazleton, Iowa,. 11 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren and sister, Jean (Norman) Perry of Chino Hills, California.

She is also survived by many Ohrt family members and Evelyn’s immediate family wishes to express a special thank you for the love and care they extended her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Kenneth Ohrt, son, Harold VanLaningham, daughter-in-law, Connie Jo VanLaningham, grandson, Dustin VanLaningham, brother, John Kuper, and sisters, Shirley Witte and Neva Carnes.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2017, at the White Funeral Home in Independence with Rev. Sue Ann Raymond officiating.  Burial will be in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Hazleton.  Friends may call for visitation from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.on Wednesday, July 5^th, at the funeral home.