Roger Q. Evans, 90, formerly of Crete and Towanda, Illinois, passed away April 8, 2025. He was born Oct. 20, 1934, in Hastings, son of Frank and Fern Evans.
Roger was educated in the Crete Pubic Schools, graduating with the class of 1953. While a senior, he was school president, member of the honor society, representative to Boys’ State, and selected to all-conference basketball. He was also a member of the United Church of Christ, First Congregational Church.
Roger enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1953. After boot camp, we went to Guam for 18 months, then reported aboard the USS CURTISS for 21 months, on Operation Deepfreeze to the South Pole, stopping at New Zealand and Australia along the way. He was Honorably Discharged in 1957.
He entered Doane College in the fall of 1957, and later, transferred to the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1962.
Roger was employed by State Farm Insurance Company in Lincoln, in 1962, later transferring to corporate headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois, and served in management, working until he retired in 1996, after 34 years of service.
Roger was married for more than 34 years to the late Joellen Ladley Evans, who passed away in October 2019.
He also was preceded in death by his parents (1972), and infant son (1970). Roger’s parents, Frank and Fern Evans, were owners of Evans Printing Company on 13th Street in Crete.
He is survived by two sons, David (wife Brenda) and Douglas; and three grandsons, Jacob (wife Laura), Colton, and Austin (wife Kate). Roger dearly loved his three grandsons, and was especially happy to welcome his first granddaughter, Octavia, into the family in recent years.
Roger was an enthusiastic sports fan. He especially enjoyed watching his sons play basketball in high school and college. He also loved rooting for Big Red, Nebraska’s university football team, as well as playing cribbage with his son, Dave, usually winning.
Roger was also a big winner in 2001 on the TV game show “The Price is Right,” winning an all-expense paid trip to Hawaii, as well as a 2002 silver and black Chrysler.
Throughout his life, Roger appreciated his time growing up in Crete, and stayed in touch with many classmates and other friends.
Arrangements by Brookside Funeral Home – Houston. Private family services will be held at a later date near Bloomington. Military rights were granted at Rock Island (Iowa) Veterans Cemetery.
