Evelyn Platt

Evelyn Platt was a devoted wife and mother who dedicated her life to her loved ones. She raised them with strong values of family and the Christian faith, setting an example of Gods love and supporting them in any way possible. She was tender of heart and spirited in her determination to accomplish goals that benefitted her family. Evelyn lived her life in a God-honoring way by putting others first. In return, the love from her family came easily. It wasnt at all difficult to give back to a woman who gave so much of herself.

Evelyn was born August 19, 1923 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the daughter of William and Anna (Berning) Hegerfeld. She grew up in the home of a close knit family during the challenging years of the Great Depression. Simple pleasuressuch as gathering for family reunions, holidays, special events and church activities at Zion Lutheran Churchkept the family grounded and secure. With one sister and six brothers, chickens and a milk cow, life was never dull. The fact that Evelyn liked to square dance, ride motorcycles with her brothers and wear her sisters high heels demonstrated a personality that was both fun-loving and sophisticated. She also grew into a natural caregiver, following the wonderful example of her mother.

Evelyn was a successful student at South Side High in Fort Wayne but left school during her junior year to support the family. She took a job at Walgreens Drug Store, which proved helpful to her family and fortunate for her future. A young pharmacist, Max Platt, took an interest in her and made playful attempts to get her attention. Flipping rubber bands at her from the upper balcony, Evelyn was anything but annoyed. Within three months the two were married on May 20, 1942 and became partners for life in a romance that was meant to be.

Max joined the Navy as a medics assistant and Evelyn moved with him to California. When she became pregnant with their first child, Evelyn returned to live with her parents until the birth of their daughter Cindy. Upon his discharge, Max returned to Fort Wayne and resumed his practice, this time with the help of his steadfast wife who gladly adjusted her role to promote his career and business. Together they were owner-operators of Platt Pharmacy, and Evelyn considered it a dream come true when she was able to travel with Max to pharmaceutical conventions in Germany, Spain, Hawaii, and Mexico.

The couple built their first home in Huntington, where Max then worked and their son Jim and daughter Lisa were born. Evelyns children were entirely devoted to her as she was to them. One time when four-year old Jim got separated from his mother at Wolf Dessauer Department Store, he rode the elevator looking for her and when he found her, he wouldnt let go of her hand. In first grade, he once pretended to be sick just to go back home to be with his mom. Thats the kind of woman Evelyn was: loved and loving.

As a wife, business partner and mother, Evelyn was a marvellous host for anyone who sat at her table. She always made sure that the family ate balanced meals precisely at 6:00 PM, but she was also liberal with big bags of popcorn at drive-in movies. She enjoyed girl time, wholesome silliness and laughing until her stomach ached. She was a sports fan and sun lover, whether lying on a beach towel or riding a jet ski. One time, she was so excited to hop on the jet ski that she forgot her life vest. When concerned family tried waving her back to shore, she thought they were just being friendly and simply waved back.

With the familys pets, Evelyn made sure the dogs were put through their paces with obedience classes and dog shows. She held garage sales and learned to knit afghans from Cindy and presented them to family as gifts. She often talked about her days on bowling and golf leagues. She followed Indiana University basketball and spent endless hours around the table on the sun porch playing euchre, cribbage and bridge. Her gaming spirit extended to playing along with Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune on TV and correcting anyone who spelled something wrong. If its possible to imagine, Evelyn became an even more fun-loving and carefree spirit after moving to Big Cedar Lake. She attended the philharmonic orchestra at the Embassy Theatre with her friend Lou Wuellner, sang along with reruns of The Sound of Music, took part in plays and her church and was pleased to be a deaconess at Trinity English Lutheran Church, where she was a member for over 60 years. Christmas was her favorite time of year, not only because Evelyn was thrilled to decorate her home and set an elegant holiday table but primarily to honor the birth of Christ.

Evelyn was so very loving to all, and anyone who entered her house had a great time. Her home was a home-away-from-home for her grandchildren and their fur babies to stay the weekend or more. Even when her daughter Lisa passed away in 1985 and her husband in 1991, Evelyns faith in the Lord kept her strong and caring. Her granddaughter Lori, thought of Evelyn as a second mom and her biggest supporter. After telling Grams, Love you, she would always hear this reply, Grandma loves you more.

When Evelyn turned 90, the family celebrated a remarkable woman who continued to love and care for them as well as surprise them. Even with recent health concerns, she turned her attention to others and never complained of her own pain. She was quiet but spilled over with stories about her life and loved ones. She was elegant in a way that had once made her daughter-in-law Karen remark, I want to be that classy looking and sophisticated someday. Evelyn was refined in her tastes, but when Jim and his cousins heard her listening to music they couldnt believe that the Rolling Stones were part of her repertoire.

Evelyn was truly an angel to all who knew and loved her. She will be missed more than words can say, but the memories that her family share will live in their hearts forever.

Evelyn Platt, age 92, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed on at 8:07 AM on Saturday June 4, 2016 at Kingston Care Center, Fort Wayne. She was a Whitley County resident since 1994.

Survivors include her daughter Cynthia Hart of Columbia City; son James (Karen) Platt of Albion; grandchildren Joe Platt and Dan (Cari) Hart both of Columbia City, Mitchell (Jamie) Platt of South Whitley, Lori Hart of Fort Wayne, and Tina Smith of Columbia City; 12 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Max E. Platt, daughter Lisa Warrick, sister Vicki Fryback, and brothers Harold, Richard, Norbert, Bill, Edward, and Kenneth Hegerfeld.

Friends may call on Wednesday June 8, 2016 from 2-4 6-8 PM at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City.

Funeral services for Evelyn will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday June 9, 2016 at the funeral home with calling one hour prior. Burial will follow in Markle Cemetery, Markle, IN.

Memorial contributions in memory of Evelyn may be made to Trinity English Lutheran Church or Cancer Research Institute.

Visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send a condolence or sign the online guest register.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.