VINTON:  Mary Elizabeth (Bell) Evens, age 77, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2024, at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage, following a sudden illness.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, December 6, 2024, at Blessed Hope Church with Rev. Bryan Lund officiating.  The family will greet friends from 4:00 until 7:00 PM, Thursday at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton.

Mary was born on March 1, 1947, in Vinton, the daughter of Clarence "Bud" and Lula (Conklin) Bell. On October11, 1968, she married Dale Evens in Galena, IL.  Mary worked as a C.N.A. for most of her career.  She was employed at the Vinton Lutheran and the Cedar Valley Ranch for many years.

Mary was a woman of strong faith.  She was a long-time member of the Assembly of God Church in Vinton, and later Harvest Fellowship.  She also enjoyed supporting the Salvation Army throughout her life.  In her free time, she enjoyed camping and fishing, and loved to travel, on her own and with family.  Mary loved dogs and cherished the time she had with her own canine friends as well as those of her family members.

She is survived by her three sons, Rod (Tami) Evens of Vinton, Jim (Shanan) Evens of Oelwein, Charlie Evens of Vinton; daughter, Julie Evens of Vinton; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 3 brothers, Doug (Mary) Bell of Vinton, Steve (Molly) Bell of Marion, Rick Bell of Cedar Rapids; and two sisters, Wanda (Jim) Benson of Akeley, MN, and Irene Randall of Cedar Falls.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband Dale in 2010.

Online Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com